Key injuries
Both teams have experienced recent big injuries but the injury report this week for the 49ers is one of the longest seen in awhile. They had as many as nine players not practicing at once this week.
The biggest injury news for either team is on the 49ers side of the ball. They placed receiver Pierre Garcon in injured reserve on Thursday. He is done for the season.
The 49ers will also be missing tackle Joe Staley. He may return in a couple of weeks.
As for the Cardinals, outside of Dansby, we’ll have to keep an eye on defensive tackle Frostee Rucker. He did not practice on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday.
Running back Andre Ellington was limited in practice both days, so we will see if he is active come Sunday afternoon. Receiver Brittan Golden is also another concern for the team, having missed practice on Thursday with a groin injury.
Prediction
The Cardinals have been difficult to predict this season. Now they will be even more so without Palmer behind center.
There isn’t much to write home about in a Stanton-Beathard quarterback matchup. It is what it is though. Stanton has proven he can when in tight spots. This is one of them.
Related Story: Arizona Cardinals: Predicting the final nine games
It is probably a good thing the Cardinals get to play the 49ers off the bye and ease themselves back into playing. However, as stated earlier, nothing comes easy for this team.
Look for the Cardinals to extend the 49ers losing streak to start the season to nine games. There is absolutely no reason the Cardinals should lose this one.
Cardinals 22 49ers 18