49ers Place Four Players on Reserve/COVID-19 List Ahead of Regular Season Finale vs. Rams
The San Francisco 49ers placed four players on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, the team announced.
Three of which serve prominent roles in the 49ers' secondary, including nickel back K'Waun Williams, cornerback Dontae Johnson and safety Jimmie Ward. Running back Raheem Mostert was also among the group added to the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but he's been sidelined since Week 2, as he remains on injured reserve.
While the four players have been removed from the team due to COVID-19 protocols, they still could play Sunday when the 49ers head to SoFi Stadium to play the NFC West-leading Rams.
Under the new COVID-19 guidelines updated by the NFL, a player can be activated and eligible to return after five days. That would make these players eligible for return.
Earlier this season, in the Rams and 49ers' previous meeting, Ward registered two interceptions, including one pick-six. He was a key figure that played a huge role in the 49ers blowing past the Rams in their first go-around.
San Francisco's secondary has already been particularly thin this season, so in the event that they're forced to go without any of these three members on the backend, the Rams could exploit their pass defense if defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is forced to turn to a crop of backups.
Kickoff for the Rams and 49ers Week 18 matchup is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 9 at 1:25 p.m. PT, where L.A. can clinch the NFC West with a season finale win.
More from Ram Digest:
- SI Power Rankings: Rams Take a Dip as Regular Season Draws to a Close
- Cooper Kupp Says "It Wouldn’t Hold the Same Weight' to Break Receiving Records in 17-Game Season
- Rams Operating With the Expectation that RB Cam Akers Will Make Season Debut vs. 49ers
- Rams S Nick Scott to Undergo Surgery Following Broken Thumb vs. Ravens
- Rams Activate Final Player Off Reserve/COVID-19 List After Four Week Hiatus
- Rams vs. 49ers Week 18 Opening Odds: Point Spread, Over/Under, Moneyline
- Rams' Midseason Additions Pay Large Dividends in Week 17 Comeback Win Over Ravens
- NFC Playoff Picture: Where the Rams Stack up Entering the Final Week
- 5 Takeaways From the Rams' Week 17 Win Over Ravens
- Rams Gut Out 20-19 Win Over Ravens, Extending Win Streak to Five Games With Playoffs Nearing
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Ram Digest. Follow Nick and Ram Digest on Twitter @NickCothrel & @RamDigestSI for more Rams coverage.
