49ers DTs Armstead, Hargrave ruled out for Week 15; Greenlaw, Ward questionable

Dec 15, 2023, 2:33 PM | Updated: 2:53 pm

Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

It had been trending this way all week but now it’s official: The 49ers will be without their two starting defensive tackles for Week 15.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced Friday that DTs Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave will not play Week 15 against the Arizona Cardinals. Both men have been unable to see the practice field all week, with the latter seen doing drills on the side field only.

Armstead has not practiced the last two weeks, dealing with foot and ankle injuries aggravated in Week 13 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Sacramento native has been seen around the building without a brace or crutches, but the team remains cautious with the 30-year-old veteran. He missed half of the 2022 regular season due to plantar fasciitis.

Meanwhile, Hargrave suffered a hamstring injury in Week 14 against the Seattle Seahawks. He did not return to the game after suffering the ailment in the third quarter. The big man has taken part in strength and conditioning drills off to the side of practice all week, but the 49ers will be cautious with him as well.

“We’ll be down two [starters], so we got to have two more [elevated from the practice squad] and we’ll make that decision on Sunday,” Shanahan said Friday.

Both men have been productive for the Red & Gold this season, racking up 11 sacks on the year.

#49ers injury report:

OUT: Arik Armstead, Javon Hargrave, Oren Burks, Elijah Mitchell, Ross Dwelley

Questionable: Charvarius Ward, Dre Greenlaw, Aaron Banks, Spencer Burford

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 15, 2023

Joining Armstead and KInlaw on the inactive is tight end Ross Dwelley (ankle), linebacker Oren Burks (knee) and running back Elijah Mitchell (knee).

Additionally, four 49ers starters have been listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest. That includes cornerback Charvarius Ward (groin), LB Dre Greenlaw (hip, ankle) and guards Aaron Banks (hip) and Spencer Burford (knee). All four men practiced Friday, putting them in line to play Week 15.