The good feeling from the Las Vegas Raiders' Week 8 win over the New York Jets is still reverberating throughout the fanbase, but Klint Kubiak and his team have been back at work for days. The 6-1 San Francisco 49ers are on the docket this Sunday, and it won't be easy going on the road once again.
Not to mention, Kyle Shanahan's team is fresh off a bye week. They've had 14 days of rest and got to watch an additional contest of the Raiders' to prepare, while Las Vegas is treading water a bit as it heads back from the East Coast, settles at HQ, then hits the runway in the other direction.
And while facing every team after their bye is difficult, the 49ers are especially tough. Not only are Shanahan and his staff among the best in the league at preparing, but San Francisco is notoriously injury-prone, and with two weeks off, plenty of key players are set to make their returns in Week 9.
But superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is the headliner of the 49ers' still quite lengthy initial injury report ahead of the matchup. And he's not the only key player in jeopardy of not playing or participating on Sunday at less than 100%.
49ers' injury report is lengthy and full of stars before facing Raiders in Week 9
Here is the 49ers' initial injury report:
Player | Position | Injury | Wed Practice Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Christian McCaffrey | RB | Hamstring | DNP |
Mike Evans | WR | Ribs/Achilles | DNP |
Deebo Samuel | WR | Hamstring | DNP |
Siran Neal | DB | Knee/Foot | DNP |
Nick Bosa | DE | Knee/Calf | Limited |
Marques Sigle | SAF | Ankle | Limited |
Nate Hobbs | CB | Adductor | Limited |
Demarcus Robinson | WR | Ankle | Limited |
Upton Stout | SCB | Shoulder | Limited |
Christian Kirk | WR | Knee | Limited |
Luke Gifford | LB/ST | Groin | Limited |
Garrett Wallow | LB | Hamstring | Limited |
Mykel Williams | DE | Knee | Full |
Trent Williams | LT | NIR - Rest | DNP |
Whew.
Starting with McCaffrey, he has sat out every Wednesday practice this season for rest and load management. But he actually has a hamstring injury keeping him out this time, even after the bye. He got hurt early in the 49ers' Week 7 contest, but said after the game that he's not worried.
Him not playing would massively tilt the balance in this game.
Evans has been dealing with a rib injury since Week 4, and an Achilles ailment popped up ahead of Week 6. He finally sat out in Week 7, and it seemed like his status could potentially be in question on Sunday. San Francisco has won every game with Evans this year, and lost the only one without him.
Samuel has been out since Week 5, and while most expected him to return after the bye, him missing Wednesday's practice is a bad early sign. Luckily, Robinson has returned from the injured reserve and could help spark a wide receiver room battered by serious injuries.
Bosa, of course, is set to return against the Raiders. He's played in just five games since the end of the 2024 season, but he's back at practice after missing Weeks 4-7 for the 49ers. Bosa will provide a major jolt up front for a San Francisco pass rush that badly needs it.
The 49ers' secondary is potentially getting reinforcements as well, with Sigle, their starting safety, returning to practice in a limited capacity after being sidelined since Week 4. Hobbs may also return after missing the first seven games due to an adductor injury, just in time to play his former team.
As for the rest of the injuries, Kirk played for the first time all season in Week 7, and it seems likely he will go again. Stout also missed Week 7 but is trending toward a return. None of the others are pivotal players, but they seem in line to be healthy enough for Week 9's contest.
Raiders' injury report is surprisingly thin after hard-fought road match
Below is the Raiders' initial injury report before Week 9:
Player | Position | Injury | Wed Practice Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Darien Porter | CB | Groin | DNP |
Foley Fatukasi | DT | Shoulder/Elbow | Limited |
Thomas Booker IV | DT | Ankle | Limited |
Ian Thomas | TE | Ankle | Limited |
Tonka Hemingway | DT | Stinger | Full |
Porter went down in Week 8 on the first play, and Kubiak continues to say that it is a day-by-day thing. Hopefully he can play on Sunday, as Jermod McCoy and Zeke Masses both took their lumps in his place. If not, it will be time, once again, for the youngsters to step up.
Hemingway not even being listed on the injury report is a good thing, as he left Sunday's game early and only played 13 snaps. He is arguably the Raiders' best defensive tackle, so having him available against an elite 49ers offense will be pivotal.
Booker IV, Fatukasi and Thomas are all contributors but not headlining names. Either way, it seems like their being limited early in the week could be cautionary, and I'd expect them to suit up on Sunday, barring a setback.
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