49ers inactives vs. Titans: Azeez Al-Shaair will play Thursday

After missing a game, the 49ers have to feel pretty good about linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair returning to the field Thursday night against the Titans.

The San Francisco 49ers are going to need some defensive reinforcements on Thursday Night Football against the Tennessee Titans, who are getting an offensive boost of their own with the return of wide receiver A.J. Brown off injured reserve.

He won’t frequently cover Brown much on Thursday night, but third-year linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will suit up for the Niners and provide some defensive thump after missing last Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Al-Shaair was out with an elbow injury. And while San Francisco didn’t necessarily miss him against a bad Falcons offense, the fact Al-Shaair ranks second on the 49ers defense with 96 tackles despite missing that game speaks a lot to his importance.

One which hopes the Titans’ recent offensive struggles will continue.

49ers inactives for Week 16 vs. Titans

The player Al-Shaair has replaced in the defensive starting lineup, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, is still out with a groin injury despite a brief return after suffering the initial setback way back in Week 1.

Greenlaw joins a relatively predictable list of weekly inactives:

• RB Elijah Mitchell
• LB Dre Greenlaw
• S Talanoa Hufanga
• OL Colton McKivitz
• DL Maurice Hurst

Mitchell, who has been banged up with a concussion, knee and elbow injuries, was probably close to return after being associated as such last Sunday. With him being out, though, the Niners will turn to veteran runner Jeff Wilson Jr. for duties on the ground.

Read More: Niners vs. Titans: Week 16 injury report, betting odds and how to watch

Wilson rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in San Francisco’s win over Atlanta last week.

In Hufanga’s spot, primarily as a No. 3 safety, the 49ers are likely to field depth defensive back Tavon Wilson, who’s mainly served as a special teams ace this season.

Kickoff between these two teams is at 8:20 p.m. ET from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.