The 49ers were already without starting left tackle Joe Staley. They learned this week that they would also be without their other starting tackle, Mike McGlinchey, and only fullback, Kyle Juszczyk, for four to six weeks.
The good news is that none of these injuries were season-ending. These key players will be back down the stretch. For now, though, it makes things difficult.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter joined KNBR on Thursday morning and discussed Sunday's matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
"Let me say this, it's set up for LA to win this game, I'm just telling you," Schefter said on the "Murph and Mac" show. "Now, if San Francisco goes in and wins this game, I'll be very impressed. And I like their team. I really do. This is a big-time challenge.
"If they win this game, you can start all the happy talk, and dreamy talk, and potential talk that you want because it's really valid if they can go into LA and find a way to win this game."
The 49ers still have their potent defense, which has been a relief for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo because he hasn't had to carry the team on his back, as some expected he might. Still, Schefter knows that at some point, the 49ers signal-caller will have to carry the team to a win on his own, and wonders if this weekend might be that time.
"They need him to be good, solid, not make mistakes," Schefter said of Garoppolo, "and if you can do that, they're actually good enough in other areas to win.
"Look, at some point, Jimmy G is going to have to win a game. Maybe that's this Sunday in LA against a Rams team coming off a disappointing defeat last week against Seattle, and you're going to be coming home, it's going to be angry, and maybe this is the week Jimmy G is going to have to rally the team.
"So far, he hasn't really had to do that too much, but he's going to have to at some point, and when he does, they hope he's up for the occasion."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Schefter below.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Schefter reports Brock Purdy news 49ers fans already knew
On Saturday night, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, officially listed as questionable, is expected to start Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. However, 49ers fans weren't exactly surprised. Head coach Kyle Shanahan had already... -
Schefter comments on Kyle Shanahan's and John Lynch's futures with 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers endured another disheartening loss Sunday night, falling to the Buffalo Bills and dropping to 5-7 on the season. With their playoff hopes dwindling, questions are mounting about the direction of the team and the job security of head coach Kyle Shanahan... -
49ers vs. Bills injury report: Purdy very limited; Bosa, Williams, other stars don't practice
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 13 contest against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Quarterback Brock Purdy was spotted throwing a couple of short passes during the portion of Wednesday's practice open to the... -
49ers vs. Bills injury report: Purdy expected to play Sunday; Williams, Bosa among 6 ruled out
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 13 contest against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Both teams have released their official injury reports, which are provided below. San Francisco 49ers Out G Aaron Banks...