Week 17 Monday Inactives: Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers will face off on Monday Night Football in a crucial Week 17 matchup with major playoff implications. However, both teams will be without several key players due to injuries.
Detroit Lions Inactives
The Lions will be without four starters on offense, including quarterback Jared Goff, who suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. Backup quarterback Tim Boyle will make his first career start in Goff’s absence. Running back D’Andre Swift, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and tight end T.J. Hockenson will also miss the game due to injuries.
On defense, the Lions will be without cornerback Amani Oruwariye and safety Tracy Walker. Oruwariye is dealing with a back injury, while Walker suffered a concussion last week. Additionally, defensive end Julian Okwara and linebacker Alex Anzalone are also inactive.
San Francisco 49ers Inactives
The 49ers will also be missing several key players on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Trey Lance, who has been out since Week 2 with an ankle injury, remains inactive. Rookie Brock Purdy will start in Lance’s place, looking to build on his impressive performance in last week’s win over the Washington Commanders.
On defense, the 49ers will be without cornerback Charvarius Ward, who is dealing with a groin injury. Safety Jimmie Ward and defensive end Nick Bosa are also inactive due to injuries.
Impact on the Game
The injuries to Goff, St. Brown, and Hockenson are a significant blow to the Lions’ offense. Boyle is an unproven commodity, and the Lions will need him to play well in order to keep up with the 49ers’ high-powered offense.
The 49ers’ defense will also be tested by the absence of Ward and Bosa. Ward is one of the team’s top cornerbacks, and Bosa is a key pass rusher. The Lions’ offense will need to take advantage of these absences to move the ball and score points.
Playoff Implications
Both the Lions and 49ers are in the thick of the playoff race. The Lions are 8-7 and currently hold the seventh seed in the NFC. The 49ers are 9-6 and are in contention for the NFC West title.
A win for the Lions would keep them in the playoff hunt, while a loss could knock them out of contention. A win for the 49ers would put them in a strong position to win the NFC West and secure a home playoff game.
Conclusion
The Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers will face off on Monday Night Football with major playoff implications on the line. However, both teams will be without several key players due to injuries. The Lions will be without quarterback Jared Goff and several other offensive starters, while the 49ers will be without quarterback Trey Lance and several defensive starters. The injuries to these key players will have a significant impact on the game and could ultimately decide the outcome of the playoff race.