PLAYER NOTES
–RB Matt Breida (sprained ankle) has been ruled out of the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Breida will finish the season as the club’s leading rusher (814 yards).
–WR Marquise Goodwin (bruised calf) sat out practice Wednesday, yet remains hopeful of playing in the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite being less than 100 percent, Goodwin was targeted eight times and caught three passes in the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears.
–WR Steven Dunbar Jr. was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster for the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. The undrafted rookie would be making his NFL debut if he gets onto the field.
–TE George Kittle needs 100 receiving yards in the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams to break TE Rob Gronkowski’s record of 1,327 for most in a single season by a tight end.
–TE Garrett Celek (concussion) suffered the injury in the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears. He entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and is questionable for the finale against the Los Angeles Rams.
–DT DeForest Buckner needs three sacks against the Los Angeles Rams in the season finale to equal DT Dana Stubblefield’s franchise record for defensive tackles (15).
–CB K’Waun Williams (strained knee) was limited in practice Wednesday when the 49ers began preparations for their season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. Williams had to leave the Week 16 game after just 16 defensive snaps.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: LG Laken Tomlinson. If Tomlinson plays every offensive snap in the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, he will get a reward of sorts for his effort against standout DT Aaron Donald. Tomlinson is one of just 38 players in the league — the only 49er — to have played each of his unit’s snaps this season. Of the 38, 32 are offensive linemen.
GAME PLAN: Command respect. The 49ers might be 4-11, but they’ve had just a few true hiccups this season. One was against the Rams in an embarrassing 39-10 home blowout in Week 7.
At this point, the 49ers would end the season seen as a club good enough to beat Denver and Seattle, and give Chicago a scare. The quality of the showing against the Rams — not necessarily the win or loss — will determine if that positive impression carries over into the offseason.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–49ers TE George Kittle vs. Rams SS John Johnson. Kittle was a bright spot for the 49ers in the earlier loss to the Rams, catching five passes for 98 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown. You know the 49ers will make every effort to get Kittle the 100 yards he needs to break TE Rob Gronkowski’s single-season record for a tight end. Johnson, who intercepted a pass in the Week 7 head-to-head, should play a big role in whether Kittle gets the mark or not.
–49ers RT Mike McGlinchey vs. Rams DE Michael Brockers. The 49ers rookie had his hands full against the Bears last week, and things don’t get any easier this time around. The Rams sacked 49ers QB C.J. Beathard seven times in the Week 7 blowout.
