Week 15 Injury Report: NaVorro Bowman Out, But Otherwise Good News For 49ers
By Jerrell Richardson
It will be all hands on deck when the 49ers play for their post season lives this Sunday. While they hoped to have NaVorro Bowman to help deal with the Seahawks, he has been ruled out. The rest of the news is at least hopeful for the 49ers on the injury front. The team as a whole, specifically their offensive line, is as healthy as it has been in weeks. It’s a good thing because Seattle has a very short injury list and will have almost as much as San Francisco to play for this week.
49ers Not As Banged Up as It Seems
While the sheer numbers are not down, the severity of the injured 49ers are way down, and just in time. Putting NaVorro Bowman’s name on this list means very little as he has not played all year. It was a thought that he might be able to play in this game, but he is clearly not completely healthy and would be rusty, so him not playing is not necessarily a bad thing.
Justin Smith’s back has kept him out of practice, but is not expected to keep him off the field. Steve Johnson is dealing with a bad knee, but the 49ers had to decide which wide receiver to sit last week, and he was in the running. So if unable to play this week it just makes the teams decision a little easier. Special Teams standout Bubba Ventrone’s groin has kept him out of practice, but he is not a player the team needs to have dressed to beat Seattle.
Otherwise it’s all good news for the 49ers. Anthony Davis has finally returned to practice, and so has Marcus Martin. Davis has finally started to get over his concussion and although he will need to be a game time decision, figures to play. The same goes for Martin whose knee injury at one point put his availability in question. However, all signs point to both he and Davis, which is a good thing, as the Seattle defensive front is a handful. If either is unable to play, then Joe Looney is the next man up.
Tramaine Brock and Chris Culliver have both been limited in practice, but Culliver will at least dress. Brock has been injured all year so there is little worry for the 49ers’ secondary, injury wise entering this game. Much like Brock, Glenn Dorsey has yet to take a snap this season, so unless something changes between now and game time, neither figure to dress.
Mike Lupati and Ray McDonald are both dealing with minor injuries, and were limited in practice due more to the time of the season and the upcoming opponent than anything else.
Seattle With One Injured
As physical of a brand of football that Seattle plays you would think that they would have more injuries, but they are about as healthy as a team can be this late in the season. The only Seahawk in danger of being grounded this week is DeMarcus Dobbs. The defensive end can’t shake an ankle injury, but he has missed several games, and the team has plenty of playmakers upfront to make up for his absence.
Marshawn Lynch has a sore back, but he has been listed on this report the past few weeks and it has not seemed to slow him down. Max Unger is actually coming back from an injury, so he will play, and limiting his action in practice is more of a precaution than anything else.
San Francisco 49ers
Did Not Participate In Practice
LB NaVorro Bowman (knee), WR Steve Johnson (knee), DE Justin Smith (back), S Bubba Ventrone (groin).
Limited Participation In Practice:
C Marcus Martin (knee), CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring), CB Chris Culliver (knee), T Anthony Davis (concussion), DT Glenn Dorsey (forearm), G Mike Iupati (elbow), DE Ray McDonald (finger).
Seattle Seahawks
Did Not Participate In Practice:
DE Demarcus Dobbs (ankle).
Limited In Practice:
RB Marshawn Lynch (back), C Max Unger (ankle/knee), TE Cooper Helfet (ankle).
Full Participation In Practice:
CB Jeremy Lane (glute).
For more 49ers news and updates, visit 49ers Central.
Jerrell Richardson is a Bay Area native who due to a college career at San Diego State University has grown an appreciation for all things sports related in California. His heart will always remain in San Francisco though where he currently resides and covers everything from the San Francisco 49ers and Giants to the San Jose Sharks and California Bears Baseball team. Jerrell is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.