San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward briefly exited Monday night's game in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals with a groin injury. After returning, he was clearly playing through some discomfort. Ward participated in only one practice (Saturday) last week. He missed sessions on Thursday and Friday due to a personal matter, rejoining his teammates in Colorado Springs on Friday night.
Defensive back Jimmie Ward, playing in the slot once again, left the field in the third quarter and headed for the locker room. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the field in the fourth quarter, nursing his hand.
All of the injuries must have been minor because, for the third consecutive game, head coach Kyle Shanahan had nothing to report regarding in-game injury updates during his post-game press conference.
The only notable injury a 49ers player has sustained during that span wasn't even an in-game one. Rookie wide receiver Danny Gray rolled his ankle in pre-game warmups ahead of the Niners' Week 10 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. Gray was fine by the week's end.
That doesn't mean new injury information won't emerge today or tomorrow. Still, for now, this is fantastic news for a team that seemed plagued with injuries through the first seven weeks of the season, averaging nearly four injuries per game. For now, San Francisco remains relatively healthy and talent-rich, which will help down the stretch as the team pushes for the playoffs, and, hopefully, more.
The 49ers will have a short week before taking on the New Orleans Saints at Levi's Stadium on Sunday. Two more home games—against the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—will follow, and the Niners will play five of their final seven games at home.
