Two San Francisco 49ers have been rules out for Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Jim Tomsula stated on Friday that
LB Michael Wilhoite and
LG Alex Boone were definitely out. Wilhoite has a high ankle sprain while Boone has a sprained MCL.
LB Aaron Lynch and
WR Torrey Smith are listed as questionable. Lynch remains in the concussion protocol this week. While he has practiced, he has done so in a blue no-contact jersey. Smith practiced for the first time on Friday after dealing with back issues.
A massive 18 players appeared as probable on the 49ers' injury report.
The 49ers and Bengals kick off at 1:25 PM on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers
Out: LG Alex Boone (knee), LB Michael Wilhoite (ankle)
Questionable: OLB Aaron Lynch (concussion), WR Torrey Smith (back, toe), CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)
Probable: DT
Arik Armstead (shoulder), WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder, finger), LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), CB Marcus Cromartie (hip), DT Quinton Dial (shoulder), RB Kendall Gaskins (concussion), LB Eli Harold (shoulder, hamstring), C Marcus Martin (ankle), TE Vance McDonald (concussion), T Erik Pears (knee), DT Mike Purcell (shoulder), S Eric Reid (shoulder), WR Jerome Simpson (finger), T Joe Staley (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (ankle), G Andrew Tiller (knee), S
Jimmie Ward (elbow)
Cincinnati Bengals
Out: QB Andy Dalton (thumb), TE Tyler Eifert (concussion), T Jake Fisher (concussion), S George Iloka (groin)
Probable: C Russell Bodine (finger), LB Vontaze Burfict (knee), CB Leon Hall (back), DE Michael Johnson (back), CB Adam Jones (foot), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), T Andrew Whitworth (knee)
On Monday, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed that three teams have officially requested to interview defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. They are the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars. While the first two were already known, the last was not. However, the Jaguars' interest isn't unexpected.
Saleh will be a hot name as NFL teams with head-coaching vacancies look to fill those roles. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Saleh would interview with the Lions on Thursday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had previously said that his
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan sat down to speak with reporters (virtually, of course) on Monday and discussed the future of the San Francisco 49ers. The two expect quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to be part of that future.
"Yes, I want Jimmy back as (part of) our core," Shanahan said. "Good thing he's not a free agent. ... Of course I want our starting quarterback back and all our other starting players too."
The two were asked about Garoppolo because the quarterback position is slated to be this offseason's top 49ers-related storyline, just as it was last offseason leading to free agency. Lynch and Shanahan backed Garoppolo as the starting quarterback next season, as they have repeatedly done each time they are asked about
There's good news and not-so-good news for the San Francisco 49ers on the defensive end front as the 2020 season comes to a close.
No position on the San Francisco 49ers was hit harder with injuries over the course of the 2020 season than defensive end, with the absences of Nick Bosa and Dee Ford in particular resulting in a significant negative impact for the team's pass rush. But while all signs are positive in terms of Bosa being ready for the 2021 season, it sounds like things aren't as certain when it comes to Ford.
49ers general manager John Lynch discussed the current status of each player during his year-end press conference on Monday, and while his tone was upbeat about Bosa's recovery from a season-ending torn ACL, he sounded much less optimistic in
