Cowboys vs. 49ers: Previewing Preseason Week 1 for San Francisco
By Chris Wilson
49ers injury news
The San Francisco 49ers have their fair share of injured players who will miss tonight’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, although none of the players’ injuries are considered serious.
Cornerback Richard Sherman — the 49ers’ biggest defensive offseason addition — will have to wait to officially don the Niners’ red and gold, after sustaining a Grade-1 hamstring strain in practice:
Richard Sherman has a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Was worse than originally thought but not believed to be serious. #49ers
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) August 5, 2018
Oft-injured defensive back Jimmie Ward, who gave his No. 25 jersey number to Sherman this offseason in exchange for an autograph, will start in his place.
Slot cornerback K’Waun Williams will miss today’s matchup after spraining his ankle in practice last Sunday. Rookie defensive back D.J. Reed will likely start the game as the Niners’ fifth defensive back.
If the 49ers decide to give Ward — the team’s all-purpose DB — extra reps in the slot when the defense utilizes subpackages, rookie Tarvarius Moore could get extra experience on the outside as the college safety continues his transition to NFL cornerback.
Offensive linemen Mike Person and Erik Magnuson will get extended looks in the competition for starting right guard, as both Jonathan Cooper and Joshua Garnett have been ruled out of the 49ers’ first preseason game while they continue to recover from injury.
Defensive end Arik Armstead, who missed 18 games over the past two seasons, is considered “week-to-week” after recently injuring his hamstring. Rookie Jullian Taylor and veteran Ronald Blair will likely split time at “big end” for the 49ers during Armstead’s absence.