SANTA CLARA – Arik Armstead is in and Clelin Ferrell is out when it comes to the 49ers’ defensive line for Saturday’s playoff opener against the Green Bay Packers.
Armstead, after practicing well the past week, got the all-clear to return from a five-game absence that was caused by foot and knee injuries.
Ferrell is the only 49ers’ player ruled out of the divisional-round game that kicks off at 5:15 p.m. The Packers only ruled out linebacker Kingsley Enagbare, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s wild-card playoff win at Dallas.
Ferrell started all 17 games at defensive end opposite Nick Bosa, so the 49ers now will turn to Chase Young and Randy Gregory for more heat against red-hot Packers quarterback Jordan Love.
“I know those guys have been eager to have that opportunity and get more snaps,” Armstead said of Young and Gregory. “They’re going to play really well, and we’re going to need them to for where we’re trying to get.”
The collective goal Saturday will be to disrupt Love, who excelled in his playoff debut to lead the Packers past the Cowboys 48-32 in Sunday’s wild-card game. “Great young quarterback. He definitely got a lot better when you watch film,” Young said. “We definitely have to be on our ‘A’ game. We’re going to rush as best as we can.”
That’s been their intention every game, so, really, nothing major has changed except one less player in the defensive end rotation, all due respect to Ferrell’s hustle and work ethic. Ferrell sustained an unspecified knee injury in the Jan. 7 regular-season finale.
“Obviously Cle, with him being out, and him being the leader he is and a force on the edge, it hurts,” Gregory said. “It’s the next man up. I think highly of myself and the other guys in the room. Nothing’s going to change when we go out there on game day.”
Gregory and Young each have just 2 ½ sacks this season since arriving in October trades. Young had five sacks over his first seven games with Washington, and while he hasn’t matched that production with the 49ers, he’s ecstatic about entering the playoffs for the first time since his 2020 wild-card cameo.
“Obviously the guys welcomed me in, but in terms of who wants to win, you can just tell the chemistry of the locker room,” Young said. “Everyone was genuine. Everybody works hard. That’s what I love to be around.”
Armstead said he has no concerns about aggravating his foot injury. He was playing his best since 2019 before a foot issue sidelined him after their Dec. 3 win in Philadelphia. He has seven sacks in nine playoff games.
“I’m always hungry in the playoffs, to prove myself as a player and also to extend our season,” Armstead said. “We have a special group and we’ve been on this journey and we want to keep it going. You don’t want your season to end so you give it your all. I love that mindset and that atmosphere, too.
“I put a lot of responsibility on myself to be a reason why we win games, and to play big time when my team needs me the most,” Armstead added. “I love these moments and opportunities to prove myself.”
AIYUK HAS ‘THAT FEELING’
As “excited” as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he was to land AP All-Pro Second-Team honors last week, he’s even more eager to make his playoff return Saturday.
“It feels like we’re heading into the first game of the season, again, so I’m excited about that,” Aiyuk said. “In the first game of the season, I had two touchdowns, and I’ve got that same feeling, so we’ll see how that goes.”
Three touchdowns? “I’ll take that.” Four touchdowns? “For sure. Let’s not put a limit on it.”
Aiyuk had a career-high 1,342 receiving yards (75 catches) but got snubbed from his first Pro Bowl invitation, which made coach Kyle Shanahan “so happy” with Aiyuk’s All-Pro nod (sixth in voting).
“I don’t think much about that stuff because, for a lack of a better word, I think it’s kind of a joke, in terms of it’s not automatic. There are so many good players who haven’t made it, then there are guys in some years who do that shouldn’t,” Shanahan said. “Most of the time they get it right. It’s such a big deal when it’s said and done. When you’re done playing, all you talk about are people’s careers – not just you but me and everybody – it’s how many Pro Bowls, All-Pros, playoff wins, Super Bowl wins.
“When it comes to voting, I feel for them because it is a big deal. Just because you don’t make it, it doesn’t mean you aren’t one of the best players in the league. He got that news at first with the Pro Bowl. But the All-Pro is the real one, and I was so happy got that, because he definitely deserved both.”
Of Aiyuk’s seven touchdowns this season, his favorite was a 76-yarder in the Nov. 19 win over the Tampa Bay Bucs. “We’re trying to remake one of those – the long TD – here in the playoffs,” Aiyuk said.
PRACTICE REPORT
Running back Christian McCaffrey practiced in full for a third straight day, after being held out the previous two weeks to recover from his Dec. 31 calf strain and the toll of an NFL-best 1,459 rushing yards.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is the only 49ers player listed as questionable. Safety George Odum will come off Injured Reserve and play for the first time since Thanksgiving.
PACKERS INJURY REPORT
Related Articles
If the 49ers can stop Aaron Jones, the Packers are in serious trouble
Kurtenbach: Why these NFL playoffs will be the Christian McCaffrey Show
Purdy hopes to put his stamp on 49ers-Packers playoff rivalry
How inside information gave 49ers a head start on preparing for Packers, Jordan Love
Is 49ers-Packers the start of a Purdy-Love NFL playoff rivalry?
Questionable to play for the Packers are cornerback Jaire Alexander (ankle), running back A.J. Dillon (thumb, neck), linebacker Isaiah McDuffie (neck), and, punter Daniel Whelan (illness). Alexander did not practice all week after leaving Sunday’s game in the third quarter.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Monday’s parking lots officially open at 1:45 p.m. and Levi’s Stadium’s gates open for at 2:15 for ticket holders in the clubs and suites, 3:15 p.m. for others.
Tony Lindsay will perform the national anthem, and Treach of Naughty by Nature will be the halftime performer, along with Fast Life Yungstaz from Atlanta.
+ There are no comments
Add yours