49ers Arik Armstead, Jimmie Ward Set to Miss Week 6 Against Atlanta

Oct 12, 2022, 11:12 AM | Updated: 12:11 pm

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 09: Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after sacking Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams in the first quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Wednesday’s practice did not start on a positive note for the 49ers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan opened their West Virginia practice week with a rather lengthy injury report. Among the various names were defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot/ankle) and safety Jimmie Ward (hand), two players the 49ers immediately ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Falcons.

Ward suffered a broken hand during his season debut in Week 5, coming off the injured reserve the same week after dealing with a hamstring injury through the first part of the year. While he won’t suit up in Week 6, there is a chance he can play with a cast over his hand in Week 7.

“Jimmy Ward had his surgery. They have a cast put on, he should have a chance to play with it in a few weeks but we won’t know anything until they reevaluate that in about 10 days,” Shanahan stated Wednesday morning.

As for the his defensive counterpart, Armstead has not practiced since suffering his second foot injury this season in Week 4. Shanahan informed the media that Armstead didn’t even make the east coast road trip. Despite not making the trip, his status is still uncertain as the team will not put him on IR at this time.

“No, Arik’s not gonna play this Sunday, but we’re not putting him on IR yet either,” Shanahan said.

Fellow DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) did make the trip but his status for Sunday is also in doubt.

Your full 40 seconds of injury updates from Kyle Shanahan #49ers pic.twitter.com/lxYqBiuukG

— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) October 12, 2022

Twelve players in total were announced as either out or limited for Wednesday’s practice for the 49ers, not a great sign for a team with playoff aspirations.

The biggest surprise were the injuries in the trenches as DE Samson Ebukam (achilles) and left guard Aaron Banks (knee) would be held out to start the week. Both players hoped to escape Week 5 injury-free, but are still feeling the effects of playing on a turf field.

“Yeah those two, it’s just tendinitis from the turf, they’re still sore from it,” Shanahan explained.

A drop of optimism for the 49ers was the news DE Nick Bosa has a chance to play Week 6 after suffering a groin strain against the Panthers. He missed most of the second half Sunday and will miss the first practice of the week Wednesday, setting him up as a true day-to-day decision for Week 6.

Running back Ty Davis-Price will also be returning to the practice field in West Virginia, his first since suffering a high ankle sprain Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks.