For the first time this season, Jimmy Garoppolo will be inactive for the 49ers. This was expected, as Kyle Shanahan ruled Garoppolo out on Friday, after he was supposed to practice, then did not.
Below are the 49ers’ Week 5 inactives against the Arizona Cardinals:
This is the longest list of the season, with both quarterback Nate Sudfeld and tight end Tanner Hudson activated from the practice squad.
Most of these were to be expected, though wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a bit of a surprise. Once Travis Benjamin was placed on the active roster, it became a likelihood, but Jennings has been employed as an effective blocking receiver with the largest frame on the team.
Without George Kittle, it wasn’t out of the question for the 49ers to employ Jennings more as a blocker from the slot. But they opted to go for Benjamin, who has kick and punt return ability, and had a nice touchdown reception from Trey Lance in the preseason.
Below are the Cardinals’ inactives:
Arizona will be without starting corners Byron Murphy Jr. and rookie Marco Wilson, both of whom Kyle Shanahan talked up this week. They also opted to keep their other rookie corner, Tay Gowan, inactive, meaning they’ll likely lean on Antonio Hamilton and Robert Alford. They also activated corner Jace Whittaker as a COVID-19 replacement for tight end Darrell Daniels.