Deebo Samuel is moving in the right direction, but the 49ers’ secondary is still in rough shape.
Samuel put together his second straight limited practice Thursday as he works back from the hamstring strain that has kept him out for the last three games. That’s the clearest sign yet that San Francisco expects to have him available against Dallas, and it would give Kyle Shanahan another dangerous weapon to pair with newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen and Demarcus Robinson, who was a full participant after dealing with an ankle issue.
The bigger concern sits on the other side of the ball. Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green, San Francisco’s top two outside corners, both missed practice again Thursday after also sitting out Wednesday. With only Friday’s walkthrough left before the team heads to Arlington, Texas, their status is suddenly very much in doubt.
The depth behind them is thin. Nate Hobbs was a full participant Thursday after working back from an adductor injury, while rookie Ephesians Prysock, Siran Neal and practice-squad veteran Jack Jones are among the options if both starters can’t go.
Neal, who has been dealing with knee and foot issues, was limited for a second straight day. Upton Stout also remained limited in a blue non-contact jersey as he continues to manage shoulder and neck soreness.
There was also fresh news on two important veterans. Trent Williams and Dre Greenlaw had been listed as resting Wednesday, but Thursday’s report attached actual injuries to both: Williams with a shoulder issue and Greenlaw with a knee problem. Williams missing time would leave a major hole on Brock Purdy’s blindside against Dallas, while Greenlaw remains a central figure in the middle of Raheem Morris’ defense.
C.J. West, meanwhile, stayed limited as he works through the 21-day IR window.
Mike Evans did not practice for a second straight day with Achilles tendinitis and appears headed toward another missed game as San Francisco handles his recovery carefully.
Thursday’s report painted the full picture:
Deommodore Lenoir, CB, foot, DNP, DNP
Renardo Green, CB, back, DNP, DNP
Mike Evans, WR, Achilles, DNP, DNP
Trent Williams, OT, shoulder (Wed: Rest), DNP, Limited
Dre Greenlaw, LB, knee (Wed: Rest), DNP, Limited
Deebo Samuel, WR, hamstring, Limited, Limited
Upton Stout, CB, shoulder / neck (Non-Contact), Limited, Limited
Siran Neal, S, knee / foot, Limited, Limited
C.J. West, DT, knee (21-Day IR Window), Limited, Limited
Christian McCaffrey, RB, rest, DNP, Full
Demarcus Robinson, WR, ankle, Full, Full
Nate Hobbs, CB, adductor, Full, Full
Friday’s final session will tell the story for San Francisco. The biggest questions are whether Lenoir and Green can get back on the field at all, and whether Williams and Greenlaw come out of the day without game-day restrictions. If the corners stay sidelined, Raheem Morris may have to lean on his front seven to help cover for a patched-together secondary against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ passing game.
In Other News...
49ers Passing Game Just Got A Big Week 10 Opening
A potentially important Week 10 break is starting to tilt the 49ers way, with Dallas cornerback Joey Porter Jr. missing practice because of a foot injury and still listed as questionable for Sunday. For a San Francisco passing game already dealing with its own wide receiver injuries, any edge matters, and the possibility of facing a shorthanded secondary only adds to the intrigue around Brock Purdys return to the lineup.
Porter also pushed back on the contract chatter around his absence, saying the injury is the only reason he is out. From the 49ers perspective, the bigger picture is simple: Purdy is expected to play, and Dallas has shown defensive vulnerability against the run, which could force the Cowboys to pick their poison if their top corner cannot go. [Read more 🡒]
Brock Purdy Explained The Thumbs-Down That Added Edge To A Rout
The 49ers kept rolling with a 38-17 win over the Raiders, a result that pushed them to 7-1 and into a tie for the best record in the NFL. Brock Purdy was at the center of it again, throwing for 232 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score, and the offense looked every bit like a unit that has settled into a rhythm behind a defense that has been doing its part all season.
Purdy also added a little extra edge to the afternoon with a thumbs-down gesture he later framed as playful rivalry banter, the kind of small flash that can turn a comfortable win into a talking point. For San Francisco, the bigger picture is even more important now, with Dallas up next and the 49ers carrying both momentum and a defense that has been holding opponents in check while the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Head Into Cowboys Game With One Big Depth Concern
The 49ers are heading into their Week 10 matchup with the Cowboys carrying a familiar mix of roster uncertainty and reinforcements. San Francisco is still sorting through key availability questions around Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, while also working Keenan Allen into the mix and getting Demarcus Robinson back, giving the offense more options as the week unfolds.
On the other side of the ball, the bigger concern is depth, especially at cornerback, where the 49ers are trying to keep enough bodies ready for a tough opponent. They are also monitoring possible returns from Nate Hobbs and CJ West, and the secondary is already leaning on a three-man safety rotation with Marques Sigle, Malik Mustapha, and JiAyir Brown, a setup that underscores how much is still in flux before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]