The 49ers’ injury report for Week 15 isn’t great, and one figures the Rams will point out arguably the biggest defensive issue on Thursday night.
Short weeks present challenges no matter what the circumstance, but Thursday night games offer more difficulty to teams facing the injury bug.
And that’s precisely what the San Francisco 49ers are dealing with as they prepare for a Week 15 Thursday Night Football bout against their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.
If there’s a lone positive, the Niners may welcome back star linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who’d be making his 2024 debut after suffering a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl last February.
However, one of San Francisco’s biggest weaknesses this season might have to take the field because of injuries elsewhere.
Rookie safety Malik Mustapha, who has been something of a sensation for the 49ers this season, has been ruled out of Thursday night’s game because of a chest injury, which means the Niners have to turn to second-year pro Ji’Ayir Brown in the former’s stead.
Brown, who was effectively benched in Week 14’s win over the Chicago Bears upon the return of All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga, has had a downward-trajectory season of his own, struggling in coverage and even allowing one of Chicago’s two touchdowns in that particular tilt.
