Armstead, Hargrave out for 49ers-Cards; Greenlaw, Ward questionable

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers will be short-handed on defense when they travel to face the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The 49ers must test their NFC West dominance with three defensive starters out of action and two more listed as questionable due to injuries. Defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave, and linebacker Oren Burks were ruled out, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday. Also, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and cornerback Charvarius Ward are questionable. The 49ers have won all four games this season against division opponents and carry an 11-game NFC West win streak into Sunday's game. It's the longest win streak for any NFC West team since division realignment in 2002. Burks is expected to miss multiple games due to knee tendinitis. Burks starts in the 49ers' base package and is one of the core special-teams players. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles is likely to play in place of Burks. The 49ers (10-3) enter Week 15 in the top spot in the NFC playoff picture with the head-to-head tie-breakers edges over Philadelphia and Dallas. Both teams are 10-3 and battling for the NFC East title. The 49ers still have some depth at defensive tackle, and will likely turn to Javon Kinlaw...