49ers vs. Colts: Full Week 5 preview for San Francisco

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers hits quarterback Carson Palmer #3 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

4 of 6

SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 10: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers is helped off the field after he was injured in their game against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Significant injuries

The news that most 49ers fans have been waiting for — rookie linebacker Reuben Foster is nearing close to returning to action. The latest, courtesy of Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group:

Reuben Foster (ankle) and Eric Reid (knee) out for #49ers v #Colts, could practice next week & play at Wash, Kyle Shanahan tells @knbrmurph
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 6, 2017

The return of Foster is needed for the linebacking core to lessen the load NaVorro Bowman and Ray-Ray Armstrong are carrying right now. Reid’s return is also notable, as the safety was playing some spectacular ball before going down with an injury.

Here’s what the rest of the 49ers injury report looks like, via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner:

OUT — linebacker Reuben Foster (ankle), safety Eric Reid (knee), safety Adrian Colbert (hamstring) and linebacker Dekoda Watson (groin).
QUESTIONABLE — wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (concussion).