Injuries the biggest theme of 49ers' sweaty Week 5 loss to Cardinals

The 49ers' injury list grew significantly during a sweltering Week 5 game against the Cardinals.

To what degree (pun intended) a sweltering and unseasonal heat wave impacted both the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium in Week 5 is anyone's guess. Perhaps some medical professionals can answer that, especially as it pertains to football.

Either way, dealing with 100-degree temperatures in what turned into the hottest game ever at Levi's Stadium was less than ideal.

However, the heat wasn't entirely the biggest talking point amid the Niners' 24-23 loss against their NFC West rivals.

Even the multiple gaffes, missed tackles, turnovers and blown leads shouldn't be the primary story.

Injuries, which have been a theme for San Francisco all year long, will haunt head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad after Week 5. And they'll potentially be a bigger issue on a short week, given the 49ers are playing in just a few days on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football.

It seemed to be an omen right from the get-go when wide receiver Jauan Jennings had to leave for a few plays after suffering what appeared to be a dislocated finger.

While he soon returned, other key Niners players were ultimately ruled out, leaving their statuses for Week 6 very much in doubt.

Jake Moody, Talanoa Hufanga highlight 49ers injuries from Week 5

Easily, the most impactful injury loss San Francisco had in the game was kicker Jake Moody, who went down with an ankle injury on an attempted tackle during a kickoff return.

Despite walking off the field under his own power, Moody subsequently had to be carted off to the locker room, and he was ruled out shortly thereafter. The thinking is a potential high-ankle sprain, which could be a serious injury.

Sure, punter Mitch Wishnowsky connected on an unlikely field goal in Moody's stead, but the 49ers were forced into four-down territory thereafter amid the rare setback for a specialist.

Making things worse, All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga exited the game just before halftime with a wrist injury and was also subsequently ruled out, leaving the Niners to put rookie defensive back Malik Mustapha in the game.

Of course, there'll be plenty of other criticisms to follow, too. But those setbacks loom large.

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