FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
DENVER BRONCOS
–OUT: LB Shaquil Barrett (hip), CB Tramaine Brock (ribs), CB Chris Harris Jr. (fibula)
–QUESTIONABLE: LB Brandon Marshall (knee)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
–OUT: RB Matt Breida (ankle), WR Pierre Garcon (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder)
–QUESTIONABLE: CB K’Waun Williams (knee)
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Rookie WR Courtland Sutton’s ascension in the offensive scheme began slowly but has moved into overdrive this week. The second-round pick out of Southern Methodist got on the field sparingly at the start of the season but won more time as the third receiver and began showing a knack for getting open downfield and making the catch for big gains. After Demaryius Thomas was traded in late October, Sutton broke into the starting lineup and he’ll now move into the No. 1 role after the loss of go-to receiver Emmanuel Sanders to a season-ending Achilles’ tendon injury.
GAME PLAN: John Elway, the Broncos general manager, said this week he’d gladly take 53 players like Phillip Lindsay. The Broncos undrafted rookie has been a revelation at running back for the Broncos. He’s had back-to-back 100-yard performances and enters Sunday’s game at San Francisco 63 yards shy of 1,000 for the season. Lindsay chews up an average of 6.1 yards per carry, tops in the NFL, and if the Broncos can establish an effective run game with Lindsay taking the lead, Denver would be able to control the tempo of the game and take some of the pressure off their exceedingly young corps of receivers.
The Denver defense has struggled much of the season to get off the field on third down. It’s a trend that needs to be reversed because with injuries in the secondary and linebacker corps, the margin for error is a narrow one if the Broncos are to stay on course in their late-season bid for a playoff berth. With the secondary depleted due to injuries, it will fall to the front seven to contain the 49ers attack.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Broncos LBs Von Miller and Bradley Chubb vs. 49ers Ts Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey. Miller and Chubb both have double-digit sacks this season and their ability to apply pressure vigorously has helped lift the Broncos back in to wild-card contention. But despite the 49ers’ lackluster won-loss record, they have in Staley and McGlinchey two top-tier pass protectors and if Miller and Chubb struggle to break through, it could be a long day for the Broncos’ injury depleted secondary.
–49ers CB Richard Sherman vs. Broncos WR Courtland Sutton. Sherman is a seasoned pro and polished pass defender and he’ll bring a wealth of experience to his coverage of Denver’s rookie wideout, who has been thrust into the go-to role by a season-ending injury to Emmanuel Sanders and the trading away earlier this season of Demaryius Thomas.
