Niner Noise
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5 Cardinals players 49ers must worry about in Week 9

By Akshaj Dwivedula

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Cornerback Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles wide receiver Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Cornerback Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles wide receiver Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals strips the ball from C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 3: EDGE Chandler Jones

EDGE Chandler Jones combines with veteran linebacker Terrell Suggs to form a formidable pass-rush duo, but make no mistake who the head honcho is. Jones has been terrorizing quarterbacks in the NFL ever since the New England Patriots traded him to the Cardinals.

Jones had accumulated a whopping 41 sacks since being acquired by the Cardinals, all in three seasons. This year, he has 8.5 sacks along with four forced fumbles. He’s a bona fide star the 49ers must key in on.

Stalwart tackle Joe Staley is considered doubtful for Thursday’s game, which means the Niners won’t be able to simply stop Jones.

The best way to limit him will be like how the Niners played against Cleveland Browns EDGE Myles Garrett, whom San Francisco faced earlier this season, and have played since Staley and Mike McGlinchey went down with injuries: run at him. Running at a player forces him to be on edge and limits the ferocity of his pass rush.

In the end, though, Jones will be a factor in this game. The 49ers have survived a variety of pass-rushes so far, but if Jones can open the floodgates for the entire Cardinals defensive line, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense will have a very long day.