With Rams looming, Kittle latest injury for banged up 49ers.
SANTA CLARA >> Neither the 49ers nor Los Angeles Rams are at full strength entering Sunday’s showdown, and both made injury declarations Friday involving some of their top stars.
Most pressing to the 49ers’ plight: Tight end George Kittle was limited in practice Friday with a groin injury. Although coach Kyle Shanahan expects he’ll
be able to play, Kittle was to undergo full examinations.
Cornerback Aqib Talib (ribs) and linebacker Clay Matthews (jaw) will not play, and running back Todd Gurley (thigh bruise) is doubtful for the Rams, who’ve lost their past two games after a 3-0 start.
As expected, the 49ers (4-0) have ruled out fullback Kyle Juszczyk (left knee), left tackle Joe Staley (left fibula fracture), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (right knee) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (right foot).
The 49ers’ projected replacements in the lineup: Ross Dwelley and likely others at fullback, Justin Skule at left tackle for a third straight game, Daniel Brunskill at right tackle in his starting debut and Emmanuel Moseley at
right cornerback for a second straight game.
Witherspoon has been doing work on the side and looks capable of returning well before the end of the month. Juszczyk wore a knee brace as he headed to do rehabilitation work Friday. McGlinchey’s arthroscopic surgery Thursday was deemed a success by general manager John Lynch.
RAMS BACKUP PLAN >> Malcolm Brown figures to start if the Rams sit Gurley, who’s run for five touchdowns this season but only 270 yards in five games (4.2 yards per carry).
Gurley racked up 30 touchdowns and 2,526 yards the past two seasons combined in leading the Rams to consecutive NFC West titles and last season’s Super Bowl. He produced three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in each of the Rams’ wins at Levi’s Stadium in 2017 and ‘18; he sat out the season-finale matchups in Los Angeles to prepare for the playoffs.
Brown, a fifth-year veteran, has only 26 carries this season and just 15 since the season opener, with two touchdowns. The Rams also could turn to rookie Darrell Henderson, a third-round pick who has only one carry.
“They have guys that are going to fit their scheme, regardless if (Gurley) is out or not, and they’ll try to run their offense,” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said. “Their main guy is the quarterback.”
The Rams possess the league’s second-most productive passing attack, and Jared Goff has thrown for 912 yards while attempting 117 passes over the past two games/defeats.
Fifth-year veteran Troy Hill figures to replace Talib, who has no interceptions and just two pass defenses in five games this season. The 49ers, owners of the league’s No. 1 rushing attack, have a pass offense averaging just 227.3 yards per game (22nd-ranked) and Jimmy Garoppolo has yet to complete a pass 40 yards or longer.
DEE FORD HEALTH CHECK >> Defensive end Dee Ford participated in every 49ers practice for the first time since Week 2, albeit in a limited fashion. Ford recently has been subbed into games as a nickel-defense pass rusher. He played just 16 and 17 snaps the past two games. He opened the season with 40 snaps at Tampa Bay, and then played 24 before sitting out the second half at Cincinnati.
With two sacks on the season, Ford had no sacks, tackles, quarterbacks hits or hurries in Monday’s win. But he helped provide pressure on 3 of 4 sacks of Baker Mayfield, as well as serving with Nick Bosa as the only pass rushers on Mayfield’s intentionalgrounding penalty just before hafltime.
WILSON MAY BE ACTIVE >> Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. could resurface in uniform after sitting out Monday’s game, upon Tevin Coleman’s return. Shanahan said Juszczyk’s gameday roster spot would go to Wilson or another position. Wilson had two touchdown runs in back-to-back games upon being promoted from the practice squad.
Shanahan noted that wide receiver Jordan Matthews likely will be inactive a second straight game.
FIRE DANGER >> Southern California wildfires prompted three Rams — Gurley, John Johnson and Samson Ebukam — to evacuate their homes, all safely reported Friday to the Rams facility, according to Kevin Modesti of the Southern California News Group.