Azeez Al-Shaair officially ruled out vs. Cardinals

The 49ers may already have their seven inactive players for Sunday vs. the Cardinals.

The already banged up 49ers got more bad injury news Saturday when linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was unable to clear concussion protocol. By not doing so Saturday, he’s officially been ruled out for Sunday’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

Al-Shaair left Monday night’s game in the second half to be evaluated for a concussion, and was later placed into concussion protocol. One of the disadvantages of playing Monday night is the short week to recoup from injuries and clear concussion protocol.

San Francisco’s linebacker depth was already a little thin following Kwon Alexander’s season-ending pec tear. Elijah Lee was behind Al-Shaair on the depth chart and will likely slide into a Sam linebacker role in base, while contributing on special teams.

Al-Shaair, an undrafted rookie, has played about 59 percent of the team’s special teams snaps this season as one of their core players on that unit. He’s also logged 41 defensive snaps, most of them coming the last three weeks with a blowout win over Carolina, then two games with Alexander hurt.

San Francisco has already ruled out DJ Jones and Joe Staley. With George Kittle, Robbie Gould and Matt Breida all doubtful, Al-Shaair ruled out, and CJ Beathard as the third quarterback, we likely have all seven of the 49ers’ required inactive players for Sunday. If anyone else gets hurt, they’ll have to operate with fewer than the 46-player maximum.

George Kittle, Matt Breida doubtful for 49ers vs. Cardinals

The 49ers injury situation isn’t getting much better going into their matchup with the Cardinals.

The 49ers injury situation was supposed to get better during the second half of the season. It’s gone the other direction.

San Francisco faces the Cardinals on Sunday, a team they snuck past 28-25 two weeks ago. This time they’ll likely do so without tight end George Kittle, running back Matt Breida, and kicker Robbie Gould. All three are officially ‘doubtful’ on the Week 11 injury report after missing practice all week.

Kittle is working through ankle and knee injuries he suffered in Week 9 against Arizona. Breida is resting an ankle ailment he aggravated in the Week 10 loss to the Seahawks, and Gould is nursing a sore quad he hurt in practice leading up to the Seattle game.

The good news is cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon is expected to return, although he’s officially questionable. Witherspoon has been out since spraining his foot in Week 3. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders suffered a rib cartilage injury against the Seahawks. He’s questionable, but told reporters he’s going to try and play, per Matt Barrows of the Athletic.

Here is the full injury report:

Out

DT D.J. Jones (groin)
OT Joe Staley (finger)

Doubtful

RB Matt Breida (ankle)
K Robbie Gould (right quadricep)
TE George Kittle (knee, ankle)

Questionable

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (foot, quad)
RB Raheem Mostert (knee)
WR Dante Pettis (back)
WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs)

49ers have 14 players either out or limited in practice

The 49ers had 14 players out or limited in practice Thursday.

The 49ers list of injured players is long. It may be so long that they can’t suit up 46 players Sunday against the Cardinals.

14 players were either out of practice or limited Thursday, including tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. They were both out of practice for the second consecutive day.

The NFL season becomes a war of attrition through the final half of the year, and the 49ers are in a fierce battle now. Kittle hasn’t been officially ruled out, but Staley will miss a couple weeks, and DJ Jones is out at least for the Cardinals game. Robbie Gould hasn’t practiced since straining his quad early last week, and Matt Breida re-aggravated an ankle injury Monday night against Seattle.

Here’s Thursday’s practice report released by the team:

Did not participate

RB Matt Breida (ankle)
RB Tevin Coleman (not injury related)
K Robbie Gould (quad)
DT D.J. Jones (groin)
TE George Kittle (knee, ankle)
WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs)
OT Joe Staley (finger)

Limited participation

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion)
TE Garrett Celek (back)
DE Dee Ford (quad)
RB Raheem Mostert (knee)
WR Dante Pettis (back)
TE Levine Toilolo (groin)
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (foot, quad)

List of injured 49ers grows, Ronald Blair out for season

The 49ers took a beating Monday night against the Seahawks.

The 49ers suffered more losses than the one on the scoreboard Monday night. Their list of injured players grew following the knock-down, drag-out fight with the Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday updated reporters on a conference call about the new ailments affecting the 49ers.

Defensive lineman Ronald Blair, who exited the game in the second half following a sack of Russell Wilson, tore his ACL and is out for the season. There’s no official word on a roster move to replace Blair yet. Jeremiah Valoaga is the only defensive end on the practice squad, but San Francisco could look for alternate solutions on the free agent market as well.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders left the game in the second quarter, and was ruled out early in the second half with a rib injury. Shanahan said Sanders is day-to-day with a rib cartilage issue, and his status for Sunday against the Cardinals is up in the air. The 49ers’ passing attack suffered greatly once Sanders exited the game.

Offensive tackle Joe Staley, in his first game since breaking his fibula in Week 2, dislocated his finger and may need surgery that would keep him out a few weeks. His replacement, Justin Skule was inactive Monday night, but could be put back in at left tackle if Staley misses any time.

Defensive tackle DJ Jones also left in the second quarter and was ruled out early in the second half. He’s dealing with a groin injury and is day-to-day according to Shanahan. Jones was having a nice year at defensive tackle, and had a sack Monday night, then injured himself chasing Russell Wilson to the sideline.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday morning that running back Matt Breida could also miss time after re-aggravating an ankle injury Monday night. He left in the second half after rushing 10 times for 18 yards. While Breida battled through an ankle injury last year, the 49ers could take precautions to ensure he’s fully healthy before returning and sit him at least against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Shanahan said George Kittle and Robbie Gould both remain day-to-day. Kittle is working through knee and ankle injuries, while Gould is recovering from a quad strain. Their statuses for Week 11 are both unknown.

San Francisco looked like they’d be getting healthy just in time for the most difficult portion of the schedule, but Monday’s game sent them in the opposite direction.

3 49ers questionable to return with injuries

The 49ers in the second quarter announced a trio of players were questionable to return to Monday’s game vs. Seattle.

The 49ers announced a trio of injuries in the second quarter Monday night.

Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was announced as questionable to return with a rib injury shortly after he was seen walking to the locker room without a helmet. He had two catches for 24 yards.

Center Weston Richburg left the game with a hand injury, and defensive tackle DJ Jones went down with a groin injury.

San Francisco is already without starting tight end George Kittle, so losing another blocker and another pass catching option is a tough draw for the 49ers offense. Ben Garland stepped in for Richburg at center.

We’ll provide updates as soon as they become available.