The 49ers secondary has taken a beating this season, losing its top cornerback Jason Verrett to a torn ACL in Week One. Since then, injuries have continued to plague players in the secondary, as the team has had to rely on rookies and free-agent veterans to step in and carry the load.
This week, the secondary has taken a few more hits as two players were added to the Reserve/Covid list. Cornerbacks Dontae Johnson and K'waun Williams and safety Jimmie Ward all tested positive for Covid-19 or got popped through contact tracing.
The good news is they tested early in the week, meaning they could be available for this Sunday's game against the Rams.
One more nickel option added to the COVID list Monday afternoon — Jimmie Ward. https://t.co/1YDBSr3uIb
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 4, 2022
It could be a long day for the defense if the 49ers are without two of their starters in the secondary on Sunday. Rookie corner Deommodore Lenoir could get the start in the slot, covering the likes of Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who leads the NFL in receiving yards (1829 yards).
Ward already missed one game earlier this season, which exposed numerous rookies on the field, including safety Talanoa Hufanga. Ward is, in many ways, the quarterback of the defense, holding that secondary together, making it one of the best units in the NFL. What Ward does on the field doesn't necessarily show up on the stat sheet, but he is one of the most important players on that defensive unit.
If Ward, Johnson, and Williams are ruled out, expect veterans Josh Norman and Tavon Wilson to step in and start the game.
Norman got benched late in the game Sunday against the Houston Texans, so it's unclear whether or not Johnson would've gotten the start over him this week, barring veteran cornerback Emmanuel Moseley being ruled out another week.
Asked Shanahan if Josh Norman, after getting pulled from the game yesterday, is still a starting CB or if it's up in the air right now. Shanahan said: Up in the air. Said all the CBs know they can get playing time and after the DPI he wanted Dontae Johnson in there. KS's call.
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) January 3, 2022
The 49ers signed cornerback Darqueze Dennard to the practice squad earlier this week. Dennard was the 24th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014. Clearly, the team is preparing for the possibility of being without one of their starting corners on Sunday.
In many ways, this Sunday's game is the first playoff game. The 49ers need to win to make the playoffs. The Rams need to win the NFC West and remain the number two seed in the NFC. The 49ers will need all of its starters available Sunday to come away with the win.