The last time the San Francisco 49ers faced off with their NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals, the red birds were sorely hurting at cornerback.
The Niners ultimately won that Week 3 game, 16-15. And now, a sweep of the season series would involve head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad taking advantage of just how shorthanded Arizona is at wide receiver and quarterback heading into Week 11.
Kyler Murray, the Cardinals' embattled signal-caller, is on injured reserve with a foot injury, meaning journeyman backup Jacoby Brissett will get the start at State Farm Stadium on Sunday.
But Arizona's bigger problem might be the acute lack of wide receivers.
The Cardinals are going to be without their top two wide receivers, Zay Jones and Marvin Harrison Jr., in Week 11, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Harrison is recovering from appendicitis surgery, while Jones suffered a torn Achilles last week against the Seattle Seahawks:
In other Arizona WR news: Cardinals WR Zay Jones tore his Achillles last Sunday vs. the Seahawks. https://t.co/HKocnhQFVq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2025
Brutal.
Yet it's news San Francisco probably won't mind at all, especially after how things went down against another NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams, a week ago.
Banged-up Cardinals give 49ers defense a chance at a break
Tight end Trey McBride remains a key threat to the 49ers defense, yes. But the lack of impact wideouts bodes well for coordinator Robert Saleh and Co.
Last Sunday, LA's two best wide receivers, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, tormented the Niners defense en route to the 42-26 rout at Levi's Stadium in which Saleh's defense looked wholly outclassed and overmatched.
Arizona is very much in a different category than Los Angeles, of course, yet the Cardinals' own injury woes should afford San Francisco's dilapidated defense a chance at facing notably less-serious threats.
Harrison, the second-year pro who struggled mightily the first time facing the 49ers this season, enjoyed back-to-back games with a touchdown prior to Week 11, and Jones figured to be the primary beneficiary of targets if Harrison wasn't available.
Except that won't be the case now.
The Niners defense, particularly within the secondary, clearly won't celebrate injuries to two key Cardinals players, of course.
But, those defenders have to be breathing a bit easier when the two teams square off on Sunday, Nov. 16 from Glendale, Arizona.