The San Francisco 49ers lost several players to injury on Sunday, and the first report is in on one injury. Richard Sherman suffered a calf injury that is being described as a mild strain, according to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport. The injury is expected to keep him out “a few weeks.”
There was some concern it was a bigger injury, but it appears he avoided anything too significant. It’s disappointing to lose him after what was a great start to the season. Opposing quarterbacks rarely targeted him, and when they did, he performed well in spite of last year’s Achilles injury.
In Week 3, the 49ers had benched Ahkello Witherspoon and started Jimmie Ward opposite Sherman. When Sherman got hurt, Witherspoon moved into the lineup. Ward suffered some cramps later and was replaced by Tarvarius Moore. Greg Mabin was inactive on the day after working primarily special teams the first two weeks.
If Ward is healthy, it would appear we’ll see Ward and Witherspoon starting outside in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Tarvarius Moore got a brief opportunity in Week 3, and will look to impress in practice and try and earn more playing time if Ward and/or Witherspoon struggle.