The Indianapolis Colts ruled out cornerback Sauce Gardner ahead of Monday Night Football. It’s not often that the San Francisco 49ers catch an injury break, but this is one of them.
Former Niner and All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward was placed on the Injured Reserve on December 10 after his third concussion of the season. Gardner is expected to play again this season, according to head coach Shane Steichen, but Week 16 is a game too early after Gardner suffered a calf injury in Week 13.
Ricky Pearsall has yet to practice this week. If he can end up playing through pain, Pearsall will have another week of favorable matchups on the outside.
On one side, it’ll be 5’11, 178-pound Mekhi Blackmon. On the other side, it’ll probably be an undrafted rookie free agent in Johnathan Edwards. There will be opportunities for Brock Purdy to attack the Colts down the field.
Colts left tackle Bernhard Rainman, who practiced Saturday and has started 14 games, was spotted wearing a brace on his right elbow after not practicing Thursday or Friday. He left last week in the second quarter on this play:
Raimann is unlikely to be anywhere near 100 percent after that elbow injury. Judging by how seldom the Colts threw the ball down the field last week, albeit against a superior pass rush, you’d think a quick passing attack would benefit Robert Saleh.
Those are the two injuries worth tracking for the Colts. We will provide an update once the 49ers’ final injury report is out later on Saturday afternoon.
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