Good News, Bad News: Deebo Samuel Logs Second Practice, but 49ers Starting Corners Remain Out

With Sunday’s Week 10 road showdown against the Dallas Cowboys fast approaching, the San Francisco 49ers’ Thursday injury report brought mounting alarm in the defensive backfield, alongside new injury designations for two of the team’s most indispensable veterans.

San Francisco’s top two outside cornerbacks, Deommodore Lenoir (foot) and Renardo Green (back), both sat out Thursday’s session after missing Wednesday’s practice. With only Friday’s final walkthrough remaining before the team departs for Arlington, Texas, the availability of both starters is squarely in jeopardy.

To compound matters in the secondary:

Left tackle Trent Williams and linebacker Dre Greenlaw both sat out Wednesday’s practice for routine veteran maintenance. When the duo returned to the field in a limited capacity on Thursday, both were attached to actual physical ailments: Williams with a shoulder injury and Greenlaw with a knee issue.

Losing Williams would create a massive void on Brock Purdy’s blindside against a Dallas pass rush, while Greenlaw is the tone-setter in the middle of Raheem Morris’ defense. Friday’s practice participation and final game-status designations will be critical indicators for both All-Pros.

On the offensive side of the ball, Deebo Samuel logged back-to-back limited practices as he works back from a hamstring strain that sidelined him for the past three contests. His steady progression indicates he is on track to return against Dallas, giving Kyle Shanahan a vital playmaker alongside newly acquired wide receiver Keenan Allen and healthy starter Demarcus Robinson (full participant, ankle).

Meanwhile, veteran wideout Mike Evans missed his second straight day with Achilles tendinitis and appears to be missing another game as San Francisco takes a cautious approach with his recovery.

Friday’s final practice session will be decisive for San Francisco’s game plan heading into Dallas. All eyes will be on whether Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green can get back on the grass in any capacity, as well as whether Trent Williams and Dre Greenlaw are cleared without restrictive game designations. If the secondary remains shorthanded, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will have to lean heavily on his front seven to generate pressure and insulate a patchwork cornerback room against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' passing attack.