49ers vs. Broncos preview: Niners host surging Denver team in Week 14
By Chris Wilson
49ers injury news
The San Francisco 49ers have a good piece of “injury news” for Sunday’s Week 14 matchup, although it’s not truly injury-related. The Niners’ No. 1 receiver Marquise Goodwin, who missed the past two games due to a personal family issue yet to be disclosed to the public, returned to practice earlier this week and will be back on the field on Sunday.
However, Goodwin’s counterpart Pierre Garcon will miss another week of action due to ongoing knee and back issues that have kept the veteran wide receiver out of game action since Week 9. After rookie wideout Dante Pettis‘ development was on display during his two-touchdown performance last week, the youngster is slated to start in Garcon’s place.
Running back Matt Breida, who missed much of last week’s game due to an ankle injury, did not practice this week, and will not play on Sunday. Undrafted free-agent RB Jeff Wilson, who amassed 134 yards from scrimmage in Week 13, will start his first NFL game on Sunday.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt will also miss Sunday’s game after he left last week’s matchup with a shoulder injury. Rookie safety Marcell Harris, who struggled in his first career start last week, will likely get a shot at redemption when he takes the field as the 49ers’ starting strong safety.
Defensive back D.J. Reed will return from injury in Week 14 and will start at either free safety or nickel corner, depending on the availability of cornerback K’Waun Williams. Williams was added to the 49ers’ injury report mid-week and is officially listed as questionable due to a knee injury. Update: K’Waun Williams is inactive.
If Williams can’t suit up, Reed will likely take his place in the slot. Although rookie Godwin Igwebuike is listed as Reed’s backup at free safety on the 49ers’ unofficial depth chart, defensive back Antone Exum would be the most likely candidate to patrol the deep third for San Francisco.
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos will be without their No. 1 wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders for the remainder of the season after the wideout tore his Achilles tendon during practice this week. After trading fellow wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the Houston Texans earlier this year, Denver’s top receiving option on Sunday will be rookie WR Courtland Sutton.
49ers injury news will be updated throughout the weekend, as additional information becomes available.