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Cardinals vs. 49ers: 5 Week 9 matchups to watch for San Francisco

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 28: Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals advances the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 28: Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals advances the ball against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Don Feria/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers is hit by outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 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)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers is hit by outside linebacker Chandler Jones #55 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) /

No. 4: 49ers Offensive Line vs. Cardinals’ Chandler Jones

One of the obvious reasons Jimmy Garoppolo won’t start Sunday is because of the attrition suffered by the 49ers offensive line.

Last week, San Francisco lost left tackle Joe Staley to an eye injury and swing tackle Garry Gilliam to a knee injury, which subsequently landed him on injured reserve. With right tackle Trent Brown out last week (concussion), it’s safe to say this unit is banged up.

The good news, though, is Brown appears to be ready for Week 9, according to the Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows:

As Barrows stated, the 49ers may be inclined to swap Brown out with backup offensive lineman Zane Beadles for left tackle. Brown’s 82.7 pass-blocking grade, per Pro Football Focus, is clearly better than the lowly 25.3 mark Beadles owns this season.

Why the move? Well, the Cardinals still have prolific edge rusher Chandler Jones operating from that side of the line.

Jones leads Arizona’s defense with eight sacks on the season, and it’s safe to say the Cardinals pass rush will be a key factor in limiting C.J. Beathard and the 49ers passing game.