The San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams in the season finale on Sunday with kickoff at 1:25 p.m.
By Week 18, the 49ers have already clinched the No. 1 seed, but are expected to play at some level with most of their starters. However, they are resting several players, which should allow some to get an extra role against the Rams.
Here are seven players to watch for the 49ers and Rams in Week 18.
RB Jordan Mason
Head Christian McCaffrey is one of six 49ers not expected to play Sunday as the star battled a calf injury that sidelined him for the most part of the second half against the Washington Commander. Last weekend.
With McCaffrey out, backups Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason should handle most of the running duties.
Mitchell has seen 61 carries this season, 17 of which came last week, but Mason hasn’t seen much volume this season, rushing just 34 times.
However, Mason averaged five yards per carry in those 34 carries and was a tough, physical runner with the football.
In an expanded role, Mason will be one to watch for the 49ers on Sunday, having rushed for 69 yards and a 10-yard touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this year.
WR Jauan Jennings
Jauan Jennings has been out the last two weeks with a concussion and the 49ers missed his presence as a third receiver who does all the little things for the team.
Jennings is doubtful for this weekend’s contest and would be a welcome addition back to the field if he can go.
With two more weeks until the next game, it would be nice to rewarm the wide receiver’s legs before the playoffs, where he can reintegrate as a receiver and blocker.
Ray-Ray McCloud was another option here as his practice window has been activated and he is currently questionable with a rib injury. McCloud has missed over a month with an injury and this would be a big win in a comeback game before the playoffs.
CBs Darrell Luter/Samuel Womack
I’m putting both players here because it’s unclear if either will get playing time on Sunday, but I’m very interested in the development of both cornerbacks and how it translates on the field.
Luter, a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, was a good fit for the press man’s defense. He had 12 passes defensed against the Arizona Cardinals and could score more on Sunday.
Womack, meanwhile, was a fifth-round pick of the 49ers in 2022 and also had a season-high 12 passes defensed against Arizona.
Both players could be key players for the 49ers in 2024, and Sunday offers the biggest look at their development all season.
Starting corner Ambry Thomas is out this weekend after hand surgery, which means the 49ers will rely more on their depth in the game.
I also don’t expect Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir to get many reps in this game, giving the young defensemen time to see the field.
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
One of the newest additions to the 49ers, Sebastian Joseph-Day could prove to be an effective player off the bench for San Francisco in the playoffs.
Drafted less than two weeks ago, Joseph-Day saw 24 percent of the defensive snaps against the Chiefs and could see more action with Arik Armstead again against the Rams.
Joseph-Day is in sketchy form, played a full season with the Los Angeles Chargers, and will now have his best chance to suit up against the 49ers in Week 18 in what should be a bigger role.
The Badgers will rely on their defensive depth in the playoffs and battle injuries, making the addition of Joseph-Day even more important.
He now has a better chance to showcase his skills in what should be a tough backup game in Week 18.
LBs Dee Winters/Jalen Graham
None of San Francisco’s starters should be sitting, but they aren’t. that doesn’t mean they’ll play hard in Week 18.
That should give opportunities to rookies Dee Winters and Jalen Graham, who have been mostly on special teams this season.
Winters played in 14 games and had a career-high 12 defensive tackles in Week 15 against the Cardinals, while Graham played in just three games.
49ers quarterbacks will struggle to see the field all year because of the talent and experienced depth the team has at the position.
But Sunday will give both rookies a chance to show their development over the course of the year, which should be a bigger role..
