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San Francisco 49ers: 5 players to watch in Week 7 vs. Rams

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is stopped short of the goal line by Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is stopped short of the goal line by Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Mike Thomas #88 of the Los Angeles Rams on a pass play during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 31: Ahkello Witherspoon #23 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Mike Thomas #88 of the Los Angeles Rams on a pass play during the first half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon

It’s about time second-year cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon had a bounce-back game.

Witherspoon’s 2018 campaign has been about as forgettable as could be, particularly after being ranked the No. 104 overall cornerback out of 108 qualifiers by Pro Football Focus this season.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Ouch.

That led to him going from a shoo-in starter to a rotational defensive back, eventually being demoted to just special teams in Week 6. And on the Packers’ game-winning field goal, Witherspoon suffered a concussion.

Fortunately, Witherspoon cleared the NFL concussion protocol and is slated to return to action against the Rams.

There’s a good chance he’ll start too. According to head coach Kyle Shanahan (h/t David Fucillo of Niners Nation), cornerback Jimmie Ward (hamstring) is doubtful for the contest. Shanahan also said Witherspoon looked good this week in practice, likely pointing to him being San Francisco’s starting cornerback opposite Richard Sherman.

The Rams’ boundary wide receivers, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks, each have over 500 yards receiving apiece this season. And Los Angeles’ passing attack ranks No. 2 in the league with an average of 9.0 yards per attempt.

Needless to say, Witherspoon’s performance is going to be crucial if he does wind up starting.