This is not the usual feel heading into a 49ers-Seahawks matchup. As San Francisco has clawed its way from its self-dug depth, Seattle has only dug further, with the end of the Pete Carroll-Russell Wilson era seeming imminent.
Still, there is little that’s every predictable about a meeting between these two teams, let alone any game the Seahawks are involved in.
With the 49ers set to be without two of their most important players this week, including their would-be MVP in Deebo Samuel, an always unpredictable matchup has more room for uncertainty.
Practice participation report
There was a heavy dose of vet days for the 49ers on Wednesday, including rookie running back Elijah Mitchell, whose performance and injuries (finger, rib the most recent of which) have earned him intermittent days off despite first-year status.
Below is the 49ers’ practice report:
Full participation
- Kentavius Street (wrist)
Limited:
- Maurice Hurst (calf) – Shanahan said he and Hasty both have a chance to play this week.
- JaMycal Hasty (ankle)
Did not practice:
- Dre Greenlaw (groin) – NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that he’s unlikely to play on Sunday
- Deebo Samuel (groin) – Expected to miss 1-2 weeks, along with Warner
- Fred Warner (hamstring)
- Marcell Harris (concussion)
- Trey Sermon (ankle) – Likely to be placed on injured reserve for the short term
- Nick Bosa, Elijah Mitchell, Alex Mack, Trent Williams (rest/vet days)
Practice squad moves
The 49ers signed linebacker Justin March and safety Doug Middleton to the practice squad.
To make room for the moves, they placed veteran wide receiver Devin Funchess on the practice squad Injured Reserve List and released safety Kai Nacua
The addition of March is of some significance with the current linebacker situation; Fred Warner is expected to be out this and possibly next week, while Dre Greenlaw is unlikely to play and Marcell Harris’ concussion status makes his timeline impossible to predict. Tyrell Adams is the other practice squad linebacker available.
Seattle taps Adrian Peterson
In a move that is simultaneously predictable and eyebrow-raising, the Seahawks are signing the 36-year-old Adrian Peterson, who was recently cut from the Tennessee Titans, to their practice squad.
This comes after a season-ending injury to Chris Carson, and with both Rashaad Penny (hamstring) and Travis Homer (calf) injured. Only DeeJay Dallas and Alex Collins, who has had a nagging groin injury, have been healthy, with undrafted rookie Josh Johnson on the practice squad.
Despite being 3-8, Carroll tried to explain the move by saying, “We’re trying to win a football game” and that Peterson gives them a better opportunity than a younger back.