Packers-49ers Injury Report: Joe Staley & Dee Ford out, several others uncertain for SF

When the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers take the field on Sunday night, the two teams will have very different injury situations. The Packers are just about the picture of good health, with all of their key players available and ready to go for the game, but the 49ers will be down at least two key starters and potentially several more.

For Green Bay, only three names appear on the injury report at all on Friday. One is reserve offensive lineman Cole Madison, who tore his ACL in an ill-timed injury at practice on Thursday. While a blow to the Packers’ line depth and obviously a challenging circumstance for Madison, the fact is that he was not likely to contribute in this game or much down the stretch overall. Hopefully he recovers in time for training camp next summer so he can have a full month of work before the 2020 season.

The Packers did list a pair of players as questionable, both of whom are working towards cult hero status among the Green Bay faithful. Tight end Robert Tonyan continues his work back from a hip injury, but despite his questionable tag he practiced fully all week. Fullback Danny Vitale is likewise questionable, participating on a limited basis in the week’s practices with a knee issue.

Otherwise, the team is all good to go. The same cannot be said for the 49ers, who will miss critical pieces of both lines. Left tackle Joe Staley, a six-time Pro Bowler, is out, along with defensive end Dee Ford, one of the team’s big offseason acquisitions. Ford has 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the Niners’ ten games, and his absence will allow the Packers to focus a bit more on a single defensive end in Nick Bosa.

Along with those two players, the 49ers have several other key contributors whose status is uncertain for the game. Most prominent among them is tight end George Kittle, who missed the last two games with knee and ankle issues. He is questionable for Sunday’s game along with the Niners’ top two wide receivers: veteran Emmanuel Sanders and rookie Deebo Samuel. Meanwhile, San Francisco has a pair of doubtful players in running back Matt Breida — the team’s leading rusher this year — and kicker Robbie Gould.

Stay tuned for the inactives report about 90 minutes before kickoff on Sunday to see which of these key players suit up for San Francisco.

Packers Injury Report

Out

• OL Cole Madison

Questionable

• TE Robert Tonyan
• FB Danny Vitale

49ers Injury Report

Out

• DE Dee Ford
• OT Joe Staley

Doubtful

• RB Matt Breida
• K Robbie Gould

Questionable

• TE George Kittle
• WR Deebo Samuel
• WR Emmanuel Sanders