The 49ers on Thursday ruled out cornerback Richard Sherman from playing Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.
It could be that Sherman has played his final game with the 49ers, who now are out of playoff contention with a 5-9 record.
Sherman is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the season. He recently told NBC Sports Bay Area that it is not likely that his union with the 49ers will continue in 2021.
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The 49ers also ruled out quarterback Nick Mullens, running back Raheem Mostert, receiver Deebo Samuel and free safety Jimmie Ward from playing against the Cardinals.
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Quarterback C.J. Beathard will make his first start since Week 8 of the 2018 season. Mullens sustained a severe injury to his throwing elbow in the 49ers' 41-33 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He likely will require Tommy John surgery.
San Francisco 49ers
Sherman missed nine games this season with a calf injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he was surprised Sherman was able to return to the lineup to play in the past four games.
“He got well enough for him to come out and play on it and help us out, but I don’t think by any means he was feeling 100 percent,” Shanahan said.
“You could tell it’s been wearing on him a little bit watching him in practice and in games, and he tried to go this week but I had a pretty good idea it was going to be tough on him. And that’s the way this week ended up.”
RELATED: 49ers expect Kittle to play against Cardinals this Saturday
Tight end George Kittle is not listed on the injury report because he is still on injured reserve. The 49ers are expected to activate him to the active roster on Friday so he will be eligible to play in Saturday’s game.
Shanahan said Kittle is one of the team’s freshest players after being out since Nov. 1 due to a broken bone in his foot. Kittle is likely to have a reduced workload in his return to action.
49ers injury report
Out: RB Raheem Mostert (ankle), QB Nick Mullens (right elbow), WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring), CB Richard Sherman (calf), S Jimmie Ward (concussion)
Doubtful: DE Dion Jordan (knee)
Questionable: C Hroniss Grasu (knee), DT Javon Kinlaw (knee), S Tarvarius Moore (knee), CB Emmanuel Moseley (hamstring)
Cardinals injury report
Out: LB Dennis Gardeck (knee)
Questionable: TE Dan Arnold (back), TE Darrell Daniels (hamstring), RB Chase Edmonds (ankle, knee), LB Kylie Fitts (hamstring), WR Larry Fitzgerald (groin), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (hamstring, calf), G Justin Pugh (calf), LB Haason Reddick (shoulder), S Jalen Thompson (ankle), TE Maxx Williams (ankle)