The 49ers will be shorthanded on the defensive side going into their Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. They officially ruled out six players for Sunday, all on defense, including three of their five starters in the secondary.

This doesn’t come as a huge surprise since head coach Kyle Shanahan ruled out Jullian Taylor a week ago when he said the defensive lineman would miss multiple weeks with an elbow injury. Then he ruled out Dee Ford and Richard Sherman on Monday. Then Thursday said DJ Jones was going on Injured Reserve.

With K’Waun Williams and Jaquiki Tartt both missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, the writing was on the wall that both players would be out Sunday.

The 49ers were supposed to get healthier to close the year, and they have for the most part on offense, but the defensive side has taken a pretty massive hit over the last couple weeks. That’s only going to make their battle for a division title more difficult.

Here’s the official injury report:

Out

DE Dee Ford (quad, hamstring)
DT D.J. Jones (ankle)
CB Richard Sherman (hamstring)
S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs)
DT Jullian Taylor (elbow)
CB K’Waun Williams (concussion)