On Friday, December 15, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch broke the bad news.
In an interview with KNBR, Lynch confirmed that defensive linemen Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave will most likely miss Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals due to injuries.
Hargrave (hamstring) and Armstead (foot, knee) haven’t practiced this week, but Lynched mentioned a remote possibility that Hargrave might return.
Regarding Hargrave, Lynch remarked, “We haven’t worked that one out yet, but he hurt his hamstring, so I think it would be a stretch for him to play this week, but we’ll see.”
He’s in the right frame of mind and is eager to play. However, we need to use caution with that one. Lynch continued, “You don’t want those things to linger.”
Due to a groin injury, San Francisco’s cornerback Charvarius Ward has also missed practice this week. It will all come down to practice on Friday, Lynch said.
“Charvarius felt at ease returning to the Seattle Seahawks game if necessary,” according to Lynch. “This week, he hasn’t yet had any practice. We still have time, so today will be crucial in determining where to find him.”
Lynch continued, “So Charvarius is very much in play, and we haven’t figured that one out, yet.”
Up to five defensive starters for San Francisco against the Cardinals could be sidelined. Both linebackers Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) and Oren Burks (knee) have missed practice this week.
Nonetheless, Greenlaw is expected to play against the Cardinals, according to what Niners defensive coordinator Steve Wilks previously stated during Thursday’s press conference.
In Arizona, 49ers backups will need to step up
On Sunday in the desert, San Francisco’s defensive backups could make or break their team’s chances.
Kalia Davis may see more snaps, and backup defensive linemen Kevin Givens and/or Javon Kinlaw may start. Givens has racked up 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks so far this season, Kinlaw has racked up 18 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and Davis has recorded a tackle and a sack in his two autumn game appearances.
The 49ers might use Isaiah Oliver in nickel formations and switch to cornerback Ambry Thomas if Ward is forced to sit. This season, Thomas has racked up 28 tackles, six pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble. This season, Oliver has racked up 34 tackles, one interception, and two pass deflections.
Dee Winters, a rookie linebacker for San Francisco, will play a big part on Sunday, and Wilks says he’s prepared.
“You are aware that Dee is undoubtedly awake. He performs admirably on special teams. If he needs to go in there and play, I have complete faith in him. I have a lot of faith in him because he hasn’t played much this year, especially late in the game,” Wilks told reporters on Thursday.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the 49ers chose Winters with a sixth-round pick from TCU. After 30 defensive snaps, Winters has five tackles, and he has participated in 58% of the special teams snaps so far.
“I believe he has greatly improved. Wilks stated, “I believe Johnny Holland, the linebackers coach, has done an amazing job with just the teaching and the progression [for Winter].”