49ers inactives list for Week 4 game vs. Patriots: All-Pro ruled out with injury

49ers inactives list for Week 4 game vs. Patriots: All-Pro ruled out with injury

The Niners will get back two of their top offensive weapons from injury for Week 4, but one of their All-Pro defenders will miss the contest against the Pats.

The 49ers will be without one of their All-Pro defenders for Sunday’s contest against the Patriots.

The San Francisco 49ers dealt with numerous notable injuries leading into their Week 3 road game against the Los Angeles Rams, including two All-Pros in wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle.

Samuel, in particular, was expected to be out for at least two weeks with a calf injury. But, with Friday’s final injury report ahead of the Week 4 home game against the New England Patriots, his questionable designation left room for optimism.

Along with Kittle’s return, Samuel will be active for the game, which gives the Niners offense nearly a full slate of healthy offensive contributors despite running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) still shelved on injured reserve.

However, another injury on the defensive side will keep another All-Pro out of Sunday’s lineup.

49ers inactives vs. Patriots: Talanoa Hufanga sidelined with injury

There are some notable takeaways from Sunday’s crop of inactives:

• QB Josh Dobbs
• S Talanoa Hufanga
• WR Ronnie Bell
• OL Ben Bartch
• CB Darrell Luter Jr.

Hufanga, the All-Pro who is dealing with an ankle injury after missing the first two weeks of the season in the final stages of recovery from last year’s ACL tear, won’t be available. This points to rookie safety Malik Mustapha, who enjoyed a fantastic preseason, to get his first start in Hufanga’s stead.

Additionally, Bell’s demotion to the inactive list parallels not only Samuel’s return from injury but also is likely influenced by a two-drop game last week, one that certainly played a role in San Francisco’s loss in Southern California.

The 49ers and Patriots kick off on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 4:05 p.m. ET from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Injuries have already been a major theme for the San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 season.

All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, is shelved on injured reserve with an Achilles injury, and there’s no concrete timetable for his return.

Additionally, wide receiver Deebo Samuel joined McCaffrey on the injury report, albeit avoiding IR but still dealing with a calf injury suffered during the Niners’ Week 2 road loss at the Minnesota Vikings.

Initial reports said Samuel would miss a couple of weeks, and he was inactive for San Francisco’s Week 3 bout against the Los Angeles Rams, a contest which he was likely missed, given the 49ers’ fourth-quarter collapse and subsequent loss.