The San Francisco 49ers ruled out several key starters for their Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams, including quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receivers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall.
Wide receiver Jordan Watkins and defensive end Robert Beal have also been ruled out.
Purdy is set to miss his third game of the season due to a toe injury that held him out in Weeks 1 and 2. He played against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday but didn’t look like his usual self.
Mac Jones is set to start in place of Purdy, and he will have his hands full against a tough Rams defense that ranks at the top in several categories.
It also won’t help matters that the 49ers are going to be without two of their leading receivers in Jennings and Pearsall. They are already missing Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle, who was placed on injured reserve earlier due to a hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, the Rams are also down a couple of starters as right tackle Rob Havenstein and tight end Tyler Higbee are unable to suit up.
Other than those two, the Rams should have a relatively healthy team when they take the field against the 49ers. L.A. is looking to improve to 4-1 on the season, which would give them sole possession of first place in the NFC West.
Christian McCaffrey thought he was going to Rams before 2022 trade to 49ers
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is one of the only healthy stars who will suit up against the Rams on Thursday night.
The three-time Pro Bowler is now in his fourth season with San Francisco since the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Bay Area in 2022.
During a recent episode of “Kittle Things,” McCaffrey told George Kittle that he thought he was headed to the Rams before the Carolina Panthers traded him to the 49ers.
The 49ers gave up four draft picks for McCaffrey, which came after the Rams reportedly made a strong push to acquire him.
49ers general manager John Lynch later admitted that the Rams’ involvement in trade talks for McCaffrey pushed him to complete a deal with the Panthers.
