49ers Week 13 Injury Report: San Francisco Still Suffering From Injuries, But Getting Healthier
By Sam McPherson
Despite the team's rather lengthy injury list, only two members of the San Francisco 49ers are officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game on the road against the Chicago Bears. If the 49ers have any hope of ending their franchise-record, 10-game losing streak, the team needs all the healthy defenders it can get.
The San Francisco defense is ranked last in the NFL for points and yards allowed, and even though the Bears are just 2-9 themselves this season, nothing can be taken for granted in December at Soldier Field. While there are 10 players listed on the 49ers' report, only two players were unable to fully participate in workouts on Friday, so the status for each player remains up in the air heading toward Sunday's tilt in the Windy City.
On the offensive side of the ball, only wide receiver Quinton Patton is a question mark for Week 13 against the Bears as he makes his way through the league's concussion protocol.
Three Defensive Tackles Banged Up But Ready To Go
It seems crazy that San Francisco could have had three players at the same position missing the game in Chicago, but thanks to full participation in Friday workouts, it won't happen. Defensive tackle Ronald Blair (hamstring) joined DT Quinton Dial (knee, neck) and DT Glenn Dorsey (knee) on the injured wagon this week.
Blair has played in 10 games this season, missing only Week 6, and in the last game against Miami he had a sack and two total tackles. He's a depth player, but if the two guys in front of him were injured as well, it could have been a problem for the 49ers against the Bears.
Dorsey played through his injury last week, making one tackle, but Dial missed the Dolphins matchup entirely due to his chronic problems. All three players participated in full practice on Friday, but were limited the rest of the week. They will play Sunday, but it could be a problem if in-game injuries flare up.
Lynch Still Nursing Ankle Injury
If the defensive line push up the middle is weakened due to the circumstances above, then the pressure is going to be heavy on the S.F. linebacking corps to step up. That means the 49ers could use both Eli Harold (toe) and Aaron Lynch (ankle) this weekend in Chicago. Harold has 27 tackles and one sack in 11 games this season, while Lynch has missed four games now with his ankle problem after missing the first four games of the season due to a league suspension.
Lynch was expected to be a major part of the pass rush this season, but he has just five tackles and one sack in three games this year. If Lynch can get on the field Sunday, it will be a big boost to the San Francisco defense. Harold was able to fully participate Friday in workouts, but Lynch was still limited and could be a game-time decision in Chicago.
Offense Good To Go
Luckily for the 49ers, the offense is in good spirits, and Patton still could work his way onto the field against the Bears. He has started all 11 games this year at WR, making 31 catches so far for 374 yards. Since grabbing six receptions for 106 yards against the Saints in Week 9, though, Patton hasn't been a big part of the offense over the last three games. He has just six catches total since Week 9, for a mere 81 yards. But he knows the offense well, having started four games in 2015, so San Francisco's coaching staff would prefer Patton be available for the Chicago game.
Bears Hurt By Injuries And Suspensions
Chicago is experiencing a lot of issues itself this season when it comes to keeping its starting talent on the field. The Bears are missing starting WR Alshon Jeffrey and starting LB Jerrell Freeman this week, as both are currently under suspension by the league for using performance-enhancing drugs. What makes this worse for Chicago is injuries to other players at those two positions: Veteran WR Eddie Royal (toe) is questionable for the 49ers matchup, as is LB Leonard Floyd (concussion).
Questionable:
Aaron Lynch, linebacker (ankle)
Quinton Patton, wide receiver (concussion)