The 49ers need a bounce-back game in a big way Saturday night against the Los Angeles Rams. Their dreary 29-22 loss to the Falcons can be at least partly chalked up to the rash of injuries the team suffered on defense leading into Week 14. They didn’t have Richard Sherman, K’Waun Williams or Jaquiski Tartt in the secondary. Dee Ford missed the contest. So did Jullian Taylor and DJ Jones.

While the 49ers won’t get Jones back – he went on IR – they may be getting a couple members of their secondary back against the Rams.

Sherman missed the contest with a hamstring injury he sustained in Week 14 against New Orleans. His Grade 2 hamstring strain was supposed to keep him out for multiple weeks. He returned to practice Tuesday, although the team didn’t do a full session. Still, his presence is a positive indicator of his status for Saturday.

Williams didn’t clear concussion protocol in time to play against Atlanta, but his return means he should be good to go Saturday night barring a setback.

Even if those two are the only players who come back against the Rams, it would be a nice boost for a secondary against one of the NFL’s most versatile receiving groups. Williams and Sherman also bring experience that should mitigate some of the communication issues the 49ers had in their loss to Atlanta.

Tuesday is still too early in the week to make any definitive statements about the team’s health situation, but it’s already improving dramatically from where it was Sunday.

Did not participate

DE Dee Ford (quad, hamstring)
S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs)
DL Jullian Taylor (elbow)

Limited participation

G Mike Person (neck)

Full participation

CB Richard Sherman (hamstring)
CB K’Waun Williams (concussion)