Week 4 Injury Report: 49ers Getting Healthier While Eagles Offensive Line Is Hurting
By Jerrell Richardson
As the 49ers enter Week 4, they have to like the progress they are making on the injury front. While they will still be without several key players, the last piece without a real timetable to return is Tramaine Brock. Offensively, San Francisco is a lot healthier than they were this time past week and a positive sign for a team that is desperate to start piling up wins.
Willis Will Play
Linebacker Patrick Willis is the only 49er on this week’s injury report that is a reason for concern. For a team already without NaVorro Bowman, they would be seriously undermanned if #52 is unable to play. Willis was seen earlier this week sporting a brace, and has been upgraded to a full participant in practice after being limited Wednesday, so all signs point to him playing. Keep in mind that in 2010, he played with a broken hand so an injured wrist doesn’t seem likely to have him miss this important game.
Help For The Offense
The good news for the 49ers is that although limited, the Davis boys are back at practice. Tackle Anthony Davis has been out all year, and tight end Vernon Davis sat out last week. But players are very important offensive pieces, and should help the offense try and solve their second half woes. Even if both are not back, even though it appears they will at least suit up, both have to figure to be back the following week, which means no matter what help is on the way.
Brock Only Real Question Mark
Otherwise, there are no real new or significant injuries for the 49ers. Colin Kaepernick and Carlos Hyde will listed last week and are no shows, and while Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree’s names popped up this week, both were full participant in practice and will play.
Unfortunately, Tramaine Brock is still out with no real timetable on his return and Vance McDonald also questionable. Perrish Cox has played very well in the absence of Brock, but depth is never a problem, so the team still anxiously awaits Tramaine’s return. McDonald’s sitting it is not a big deal if required. Derek Carrier has played well the past two weeks, and as long as Vernon plays, the offense will be back on track.
49ers Injury Report
Did Not Participate In Practice:
CB Tramaine Brock (toe), C Marcus Martin.
Limited In Practice:
T Anthony Davis (hamstring), TE Vernon Davis (ankle, knee), TE Vance McDonald (knee).
Full Participation In Practice:
RB Frank Gore (back), WR Michael Crabtree (quadriceps), DE Justin Smith (not injury related), LB Patrick Willis (wrist).
Eagles Are Wounded
Philly has a very misleading injury report. In all, they have 11 players listed. However, the majority of them, 9 to be exact, were full participants in practice. So they are injury free right? Not at all.
Like the 49ers, the Eagles are dealing with injuries that are not listed. The big name that is listed is Jason Kelche. He was the Eagles starting center, but is now out after surgery. What this means is that Philadelphia will be without three of their starting offensive lineman. The team already lost starting left guard Evan Mathis (injury not listed) in the season opener, and starting right tackle Lane Johnson (injury not listed), to suspension. Kelce is the most recent though, and in his place will be David Molk who is in just his 2nd season. San Francisco has played well against the run, but hasn’t been able to generate a pass rush so it will be interesting to see if they can exploit a vulnerable Eagles Front.
The road team could also be without linebacker Mychal Kendricks, but this is not exactly an elite defense with him. So while he is no scrub, the Eagles defense will not point to injuries if they have any issues with the 49ers offense this week.
In regards to the multitude of players on the Eagles full participation portion, while normally not something to even mention, just the fact that so many skill positions are listed must be noted. However they are all backups so unless they suffer an in game injury this is not something for Philly fans to panic about.
Eagles Injury Report
Did Not Participate In Practice:
C Jason Kelce (hernia), LB Mychael Kendricks (calf).
Full Participation In Practice:
DE Brandon Blair (foot), CB Brandon Boykin (hip), TE James Casey (knee), WR Josh Huff (shoulder), WR Jordan Matthews (oblique), WR Brad Smith (groin), CB Jaylen Watkins (hamstring), DE Fletcher Cox (back), S Earl Wolff (knee).
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.
