49ers injury updates: Sherman and Ward ruled out Saturday; Kittle will be on a pitch count

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan met with the media Thursday afternoon to provide a few injury updates for Saturday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals:

OUT

WR Deebo Samuel

S Jimmie Ward

RB Raheem Mostert

CB Richard Sherman

DL Javon Kinlaw

DOUBTFUL

DL Dion Jordan

QUESTIONABLE

CB Emmanuel Moseley

C Hroniss Grasu

DL Javon Kinlaw

DB Tarvarius Moore

Ward, Sherman, and Kinlaw didn’t practice all week, so this isn’t much of a surprise. I’d bet Kinlaw doesn’t play. Moore did practice, as did Moseley, so they’re closer to a coin flip. Not having Moore would mean more musical chairs in the secondary.

Kai Nacua, come on down. That’s who came into the game when Moore went out last week, so if Tarvarius can’t play, that’s who would start next to Marcell Harris, who I assume is taking Ward’s spot at the other safety in the box. With Sherman out, that means Ahkello Witherspoon and Jason Verrett will start at cornerback.

C.J. Beathard is your starter, and Josh Rosen will serve as the team’s backup. I asked Shanahan if he had seen enough from Rosen in a couple of practices to play him and whether Beathard would be on a short leash like Mullens was heading into this game. Kyle said the only way Beathard gets pulled in this game is if C.J. gets injured.

George Kittle is going to play. Shanahan said Kittle looked great, they had a conversation, and he’s good to go for Saturday. Shanahan said Kittle will be on a pitch count and won’t play 95% of the snaps as he usually does. Kittle said the conversation was simple. Kyle asked him if he wanted to play; George said, “hell yes,” and that was the extent of the conversation.