One of the 49ers’ clear strength in training camp was the depth of their linebacker room. That was winnowed down heading into the season with the trade of Jonas Griffith to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick and the Giants claiming undrafted rookie Justin Hilliard off waivers.
But the situation has never been as dire as it is on Sunday. Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Marcell Harris will all watch from the sidelines.
Warner, listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, was the only one of those three with a chance to play. Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Warner would have to do some persuading to play. Evidently, he wasn’t persuasive enough.
He warmed up pregame, and helped warm up the linebacker group along with Greenlaw. That linebacker group is thin, but led by Azeez Al-Shaair. The rest of the group is Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Tyrell Adams (recently promoted from practice squad) and Justin March, a practice squad addition and activation this week.
Below is the 49ers’ inactive list:
- WR Deebo Samuel (groin)
- LB Dre Greenlaw (groin)
- LB Fred Warner (hamstring)
- LB Marcell Harris (concussion)
- DT Maurice Hurst (calf)
- OL Colton McKivitz
Seattle, meanwhile, will not have running back Alex Collins. They activated veteran running back Adrian Peterson from the practice squad and are expected to have him involved.
