© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
The 49ers will be without two defensive starters and their top two options at strong safety for their Thursday Night matchup with the visiting Oakland Raiders.
Reuben Foster (hamstring), Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder), and Antone Exum (concussion) have been ruled out for Week 8, the 49ers announced Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday will be the first game Foster has missed all season due to injury. Tartt will miss his third game of the season with a nagging shoulder injury. Exum, Tartt’s backup, did not have enough time to complete the NFL’s concussion protocol during the abbreviated week.
Tyvis Powell is likely to start at strong safety for the first time in his NFL career. Powell was converted from cornerback to safety, where he played in college, as the preseason drew to a close. His ability to play both spots helped consolidate the roster.
Powell played 21 snaps in San Francisco’s 18-15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday. He struggled in coverage but forced a fumble that the 49ers recovered in the fourth quarter.
The following 49ers players are listed as questionable for Thursday night: C.J. Beathard (right wrist), Matt Breida (ankle), Pierre Garcon (shoulder, knee), Raheem Mostert (ankle), Weston Richburg (knee), and Richard Sherman (calf, heel).
