PLAYER NOTES
–QB Tom Savage was released from the club’s 53-man roster on the eve of the Week 7 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, then re-signed on Monday. He will serve as the club’s third-string quarterback in practice for the time being.
–RB Matt Breida (sprained ankle) was held out of practice Wednesday, but is likely to play in the Week 8 game at Arizona. Breida had to leave the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after getting just five rushes for 15 yards.
–WR Pierre Garcon (bruised knee) could not practice Wednesday and likely will miss the Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
–WR Dante Pettis (bruised knee) returned to practice Wednesday and is expected to play in the Week 8 game at Arizona. Pettis hasn’t played since Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
–WR Aaron Burbridge was signed to the 49ers’ practice squad on Tuesday. He played in 16 games for the 49ers in 2016 before spending the entire 2017 season on injured reserve.
–MLB Fred Warner had a team-leading eight tackles in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He ranks second in the NFL among rookies with 58 tackles this season, trailing only Indianapolis Colts OLB Darius Leonard (79).
–CB Richard Sherman (strained calf) did not practice Wednesday, but has not been ruled out of the Week 8 game at Arizona. Sherman did not play in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
–CB Jimmie Ward (strained hamstring) was able to participate in practice Wednesday on a limited basis and is likely to return for the Week 8 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. Ward was injured late in the Week 6 loss at Green Bay.
–FS Adrian Colbert (high ankle sprain) was placed on injured reserve on Monday after suffering the injury in the Week 7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: DT/DE Solomon Thomas. The 49ers are still looking for ways to best utilize Thomas, who they consider good enough to play on the outside in rushing situations and on the inside when they expect a pass. The 49ers expect the Cardinals to do more running than passing this week, so look for Thomas more on the outside, where he was almost no factor (one tackle) in the earlier meeting between the two teams.
GAME PLAN: Get revenge. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan insists he wants to win every remaining game on the schedule, and that starts with a very winnable contest at Arizona. If he needs extra motivation, it could come from seeking to avenge a poorly played, 28-18 home embarrassment at the hands of the Cardinals in Week 5.
With running back Matt Breida still dealing with an ankle injury, the onus is on the 49ers’ defense to be the difference-maker against the Cardinals. If they can stop the run, it should put the San Francisco offense in a position where a conservative approach could pay off in a win.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–49ers MLB Fred Warner vs. Cardinals RB David Johnson. Rookie quarterback Josh Rosen is struggling throwing the ball, so the Cardinals surely will count upon Johnson to carry much of the offensive burden against the 49ers. It’ll be up to Warner to keep Johnson’s numbers reasonable, as they were when he was held to 39 yards on 14 carries in the earlier meeting in Week 5.
–49ers RT Mike McGlinchey vs. Cardinals DE Chandler Jones. Jones was a thorn in C.J. Beathard’s side when the Cardinals sacked the 49ers quarterback four times and forced two fumbles in the Week 5 road win. The 49ers hope their rookie tackle is better off for the experience.
