Cowboys vs. 49ers: Full Week 7 injury report for San Francisco
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers host the visiting Dallas Cowboys in Week 7, and Niner Noise takes a look at San Francisco’s injury report ahead of this rivalry matchup.
Injuries have certainly been a problem for the San Francisco 49ers over the course of 2017.
And the team got some bad news regarding one of its recent first-round draft picks, defensive end Arik Armstead, who landed on injured reserve after breaking his hand in Week 6 against the Washington Redskins.
In addition to this, the Niners’ injury report ahead of their Week 7 home bout with the Dallas Cowboys is pretty extensive:
| Name | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Designation |
| LB 54 Ray-Ray Armstrong | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| LB 50 Brock Coyle | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| LB 58 Elvis Dumervil | Not Injury Related | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
| LB 56 Reuben Foster | Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| WR 15 Pierre Garçon | Not Injury Related | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
| DL 93 D.J. Jones | Quadricep | LP | LP | FP | (-) |
| FB 44 Kyle Juszczyk | Back | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| TE 85 George Kittle | Back, Elbow | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| DL 59 Aaron Lynch | Calf | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| NT 90 Earl Mitchell | Thumb | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| S 35 Eric Reid | Knee | FP | FP | FP | (-) |
| T 74 Joe Staley | Not Injury Related | DNP | FP | FP | (-) |
| LB 97 Dekoda Watson | Groin | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| CB 23 Ahkello Witherspoon | Chest | LP | FP | FP | (-) |
Armstead’s absence puts the defense into a bit of a bind, especially off the edge. He was replaced by fellow EDGE Aaron Lynch last Sunday, although it looks as if he’ll miss Week 7’s matchup with a calf injury suffered a week ago.
These two players’ absences likely means a vast increase in snaps for veteran pass-rusher Elvis Dumervil as well as rookie defensive end Solomon Thomas, who arguably had his best game as a pro in Week 6.
In addition to Armstead and Lynch’s absence, the 49ers will be without fullback Kyle Juszczyk this week, which likely prompted the Niners to re-sign tight end Logan Paulsen after he was cut earlier this week.
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Reuben Foster to Return?
First-round linebacker Reuben Foster (ankle) has missed all but 11 defensive snaps this season.
While he was able to practice in limited fashion with the team a week ago, San Francisco still elected to hold him out of Week 6.
But signs are pointing to Foster rejoining his teammates on the field this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan:
Kyle Shanahan on Reuben Foster's availability for #DALvsSF: "As long as there aren't any setbacks here in the next 48 hours, I feel pretty confident."
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 20, 2017
This is great news for the winless 49ers, who will be placing Foster in the MIKE linebacker position vacated by NaVorro Bowman, after he was cut just over a week ago.
Foster could still have some adjustments to make, but it’s pretty clear the Niners defense will be much better off with the first-round draftee on the field.
Next: Cowboys vs. 49ers: 5 key matchups for San Francisco
San Francisco and Dallas kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium.