Starting safeties Ward, Tartt both out for Sunday
SANTA CLARA >> Only four defenders who started in last season’s Super Bowl will be in the 49ers’ lineup Sunday at New England, and among those missing will be starting safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt for the first time this injury-laden season.
Ward sustained a lowgrade quadriceps strain in Thursday’s practice, and combined with Tartt’s groin injury from last Sunday’s win over the Los Angeles Rams, that will prompt a new last line of defense against Patriots’ dual-threat quarterback Cam Newton.
Long-time reserves Marcell Harris and Tarvarius Moore likely are the replacements. Veteran safety Johnathan Cyprien likely will be promoted from the practice squad, as could be undrafted rookie Jared Mayden.
“I don’t think anybody has to be Superman,” nose tackle D. J. Jones said of the safety swap. “Everybody just
has to do their job. That’s all I’m going to say. Do your job, make as many plays as possible and live with the results.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t confirm which safeties he’ll deploy, but he said Ward’s injury impacts who the 49ers will add today to the roster.
A roster spot will clear up with running back Raheem Mostert going on injured reserve because of last Sunday’s high- ankle sprain that will keep him out at least three games.
Ward has started every game since missing the opening three last season with a finger injury. As for Thursday’s quadriceps injury, “I don’t think it’ll be real long, but we know for sure he won’t make the trip and we hope that gives him a chance to be ready next week,” Shanahan said.
The only Super Bowl starters who’ll be in Sunday’s defensive lineup are lineman Arik Armstead, linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.
“A lot of people look at us and say we don’t have the same players and a lot of people are out,” Greenlaw said. “I look at it and say we still have the guys to come in, step in and at least hold it down until they’re gone. We did a great job of it last game.”
Greenlaw will start a second straight game in place of weak- side linebacker Kwon Alexander (ankle).
Lost for the season are defensive linemen Nick Bosa ( k nee), Solomon Thomas ( knee) and Ziggy Ansah ( biceps). Expected to eventually come off injured reserve are cornerbacks Richard Sherman (calf) and K’Waun Williams (knee) and defensive end Dee Ford ( back). (Defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Sheldon Day were the 49ers’ other Super Bowl starters, and both now play for the Indianapolis Colts.)
OFFENSIVE LINE STATUS >> Left tackle Trent Williams has not missed a start with the 49ers, and, even though an ankle injury put that streak in jeopardy, his daunting presence is expected in Sunday’s lineup against the host New England Patriots.
Williams is officially questionable, but he practiced Thursday and Friday. He missed Wednesday’s session because of an ankle sprain that required imaging exams after he finished out Sunday’s 24-16 win over the Rams.
The 49ers’ offensive line, which rebounded in stellar fashion against the Rams, will re-insert Hroniss Grasu as the starting center. Grasu served in that role in the seasonopening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Ben Garland, who missed Week 1 with a high-ankle sprain, went on injured reserve with a calf strain that forced him out of Sunday’s victory. RUNNING BACK ROULETTE >> Moster t ( high- ankle sprain) is expected to go on injured reserve by today at 1 p.m., when the 49ers must submit roster moves by for Sunday’s 1:25 p.m. PT kickoff.
Jerick McKinnon is expected to make his third start this season in place of Mostert, who missed Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee sprain. Rookie JaMycal Hasty could see more action after closing out the Rams’ win with strong carries.
Jeff Wilson Jr. is questionable after being limited all week in practice with a calf injury, which kept him out last game.
PATRIOTS’ REPORT >> Running back James White is expected to play, having practiced Friday with the Patriots after missing the previous two days.
Defensive lineman Carl Davis (concussion) is out. Wide receiver Julian Edelman ( knee), guard Shaq Mason (calf ), defensive back Kyle Dugger (ankle) and defensive linemen Adam Butler (shoulder) and Derek Rivers ( back) are questionable. GOULD’S RETURN >> Jimmy Garoppolo is not the only 49er who started his NFL career in New England. Undrafted kicker Robbie Gould spent his rookie training camp in 2005 with the Patriots, who cut him before that season. Gould went on to become the Chicago Bears’ all-time leading scorer, and he is in his fourth season with the 49ers.
Gould has made 8- of-9 field-goal attempts this season, missing only a 55-yard try against the New York Giants. He ranks 12th-alltime with 389 field goals, and every time he adds to that total this season, he is donating $500 toward Cal’s Angles, a pediatric cancer non-profit in Illinois that grants wishes for kids. TRADE TALK >> Shanahan did not dispute that wide receiver Dante Pettis is available via trade, as first reported Thursday night by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. “Nothing is imminent,” Shanahan said. “Dante is a part of our team and there’s a good chance he could stay part of our team. If his number is called, I plan on him being ready.”