The San Francisco 49ers did not practice on Monday ahead of their Thursday Night Football matchup with the Seattle Seahawks .
But the Niners did release an injury report, providing an indicator of which players would not have been involved in a hypothetical practice.
The most interesting inclusion was that of a player who has struggled to hit the heights he reached in 2023.
49ers estimated practice report
DNP: WR Chris Conley (oblique). DT Jordan Elliott (knee), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist), K Jake Moody (ankle), CB Charvarius Ward (knee)
Limited S Ji'Ayir Brown (ankle), TE George Kittle (ribs), LB Fred Warner (ankle)
Full: WR Jacob Cowing (shoulder)
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said it was unlikely linebacker Flannigan-Fowles will play having missed the Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Kicker Moody faces weeks on the sideline with a high ankle sprain, but the situation with Hufanga remains unclear after he left the Cardinals game in the first half. Elliott played 48 percent of the defensive snaps against Arizona while veteran wideout Conley did not feature.
It is the inclusion of All-Pro corner Ward that will raise the most questions.
Ward dealt with hamstring and knee issues prior to the Week 3 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams and had a disappointing game by his standards, allowing three catches for 76 yards.
He gave up four catches for 31 yards in the Week 4 win over the New England Patriots and was culpable for three receptions for 67 yards against Arizona, with his performance and his subsequent place on the estimated injury report indicating he has played while not fully healthy.
That may provide an explanation for Ward's drop-off in form from a 2023 campaign in which he led the NFL with 23 pass breakups while also recording five interceptions.
Ward's decline and apparent struggles with injury are a considerable concern going into a matchup with a talented Seattle wide receiver corps. The former Kansas City Chief has locked down DK Metcalf in each of the 49ers' last two road games in Seattle, both Thursday Night wins.
The saving grace is that, as Ward has struggled, another lockdown corner has emerged for the 49ers, with Deommodore Lenoir allowing zero yards on three targets in Week 5. He has surrendered just 37 yards in coverage over the last four games.
With Metcalf supported by two receivers who can play inside and out in Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Lenoir's prowess in playing outside corner and the slot will be crucial.
It is no surprise that Kittle and Warner were listed as limited. Both played in Week 5 despite being listed as questionable. Rookie Cowing appears on track to return and potentially reassume punt returning duties, which were handled by practice squad player Trent Taylor against Arizona.
Related: Brock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk at least give the 49ers some comfort in the familiar in Cardinals defeat
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