The San Francisco 49ers are optimistic their defensive front will be as potent as it was earlier in the regular season, largely due to an earlier report EDGE Dee Ford (quad, hamstring) would be active for the team's NFC divisional bout against the visiting Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium.
Ford, who played only a handful of snaps in Week 14 and missed every other game since Week 11 otherwise, was listed as questionable for the contest. But with the report, along with the Niners' inactives for Saturday's bout, it looks as if he'll play.
Ford has played roughly 20 percent of the defense's regular-season snaps, and one might expect him to be used solely on third downs and obvious pass-rushing situations against Minnesota.
Al-Shaair being inactive also reinforces the 49ers feel confident enough with the return of starting linebacker Kwon Alexander, who is also active after being promoted from injured reserve prior to Saturday's game.
The Niners and Vikings kick off on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. ET from Levi's Stadium.
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
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