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49ers vs. Cardinals Week 18 inactives: No surprises but pleasant returns for SF

By Kurt Mensching

Elijah Mitchell #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Elijah Mitchell #25 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Week 18 inactives list for the San Francisco 49ers is probably more notable for who isn’t on the list than who is.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ankle/knee) and running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) are back for the 49ers’ final regular-season game of the year. Running back Christian McCaffrey, who missed some practice time during the week due to an ankle sprain, is also set to play against the Cardinals.

It’s kind of a best-case scenario as San Francisco tries to wrap up the top seed in the NFC (though the Eagles, who play at the same time, control their own destiny in that matter).

The most important name there, as far as Sunday’s game is concerned, is McCaffrey.

For the season, he has posted 1,094 yards on 234 carries and scored eight running touchdowns. He ha also added four receiving touchdowns and 707 yards through the air.

In the 49ers’ overtime win last week against the Raiders, he picked up nearly 200 combined yards and scored a touchdown.

Samuel hasn’t played since Week 14 against the Buccaneers when he suffered an MCL sprain and ankle sprain, but has 612 yards on 54 receptions for the year.

The 49ers have won every game without him, but then again they’re on a nine-game win streak so they won quite a few with him as well.

Mitchell’s return is also notable. Expected to play a bigger role in SF’s backfield this year, he injured his MCL in the first game of the season and been off the field for most games since.

Activated from the Injured Reserve list for today, Mitchell should get his number called a few times, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. But that might be more about getting him ready for the playoff run.

49ersWebZone noted Mitchell’s return could be a boon for the team as he’s racking up an average of 5.4 yards per carry, nearly a yard more than he did in his rookie season.

On the Cardinals side, eight players were ruled out on Friday’s practice report. Nine were listed inactive.

Most notable were quarterback Colt McCoy (concussion) and wideout DeAndre Hopkins (knee). per ArizonaSports.com. QB David Blough will make his second start in a row for Arizona.

Week 18 inactives: Cardinals at 49ers

49ers Week 18 inactives

  • G Aaron Banks (ankle, knee)
  • QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot)
  • DT Kevin Givens (knee)
  • LB Dre Greenlaw (back)
  • CB Ambry Thomas (ankle)
  • TE Ross Dwelley
  • DE Drake Jackson

Cardinals Week 18 inactives

  • DL Zach Allen (hand)
  • WR Robbie Anderson (back)
  • LB Zaven Collins (calf)
  • RB James Conner (knee/shin)
  • CB Antonio Hamilton (hip)
  • WR DeAndre Hopkins (knee)
  • QB Colt McCoy (concussion)
  • OL Lecitus Smith
  • CB Marco Wilson (neck)