The 49ers’ running back situation could be dire this weekend against the Chargers. In the team’s first game without Jimmy Garoppolo, they could be without both of their lead running backs as well. Matt Breida left the team’s game against the Chiefs with a hyperextended knee, and while he later returned to the game, he’s looking iffy at best to suit up against Los Angeles. Breida himself said “it’s going to be a game-time decision. I have to feel comfortable” according to Daniel Brown of The Mercury News. Neither Breida or coach Kyle Shanahan seemed particularly optimistic that Breida plays, and it sounds like he’s leaning toward sitting.
If Breida sits, Alfred Morris would likely become a workhorse, but he too is questionable with a knee injury of his own. There’s even more bad injury news for the 49ers, as Richard Sherman has been officially ruled out with a calf injury according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic (Twitter link).
Here are more injury updates from around the league:
- Rams coach Sean McVay said outside linebacker Dominique Easley could be “sidelined for a while” according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN (Twitter link). It’s another blow for the Rams’ defense, as the former Patriots first round pick is capable of playing quite well when he can stay on the field.
- It’s looking like first round pick Vita Vea will finally make his debut for the Buccaneers this Sunday. He was a full participant in practice today according to Greg Auman of The Athletic (Twitter link). Vea, the 12th overall pick in this year’s draft, injured his calf in training camp and has been sidelined since.
- The Eagles will be without Darren Sproles for at least another week, as the team ruled out the running back and safety Rodney McLeod according to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Running back Corey Clement is questionable with a quadriceps injury, so the Eagles could yet again have a thin backfield. Alshon Jeffery is listed as questionable as well, and it looks like he could finally make his 2018 debut.