Injury updates: 49ers will be without three starters in the secondary Sunday

The San Francisco 49ers returned to the practice field Friday afternoon but were without several key starters. Cornerbacks Richard Sherman and K’Waun Williams were on the side of practice rehabbing, as was safety Jaquiski Tartt. That’s an indication that the 49ers will go into Atlanta’s game short-handed.

If that’s the case, Emmanuel Moseley, D.J Reed, and Marcell Harris will start in their place. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Tarvarius Moore at safety, and Jimmie Ward drops down to the slot. If I’m Robert Saleh, especially against this Falcons offense, I’d go Moore over Harris We’ll find out soon enough.

Here are the players that have been ruled out for Sunday’s game:

CB Richard Sherman

DL Dee Ford

DL D.J. Jones

S Jaquiski Tartt

DL Jullian Taylor

DB K’Waun Williams

There was an NFL Network report that said Sherman would miss the remainder of the season, but Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t confirm it. He said, “I hope it’s week to week. That’s news to me.” It’ll take a lot to prevent Sherm from playing Week 17 against Seattle.

The Kentavius Steet era will begin Sunday. Shanahan confirmed he would be active with D.J. Jones going on IR. Shanahan is not optimistic about Dee Ford’s (hamstring) return in the regular season. He’s hoping to get the edge rusher back by playoffs.