The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles have released their final injury reports ahead of their NFC Championship Game matchup on Sunday. Both teams mostly have good news on the injury front, but there are some concerns at running back for the 49ers and for a key Eagles linebacker.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report for the NFC Championship Game
49ers Injury Report
Did Not Participate
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (Foot) – Out
Elijah Mitchell, RB (Groin) – Questionable
Limited Participant
Ambry Thomas, CB (Ankle) – Questionable
Full Participant
Christian McCaffrey, RB (Calf) – Cleared
Trent Williams, OT (NIR) – Cleared
Charles Omenihu, DL (Oblique) – Cleared
Deebo Samuel, WR (Ankle) – Cleared
Christian McCaffrey has been a big part of the reason the 49ers have been so efficient on offense despite cycling through multiple quarterbacks this season; he’s one of the few running backs that truly makes an enormous difference when he’s on the field. Having him available is a boon for the 49ers, who would have had to lean on Tevin Coleman and rookies Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price in McCaffrey’s absence.
Because McCaffrey’s injury, a calf contusion, doesn’t typically impact performance from week to week, this good news was expected — but there’s always a chance he reaggravates it during the game. Backup Elijah Mitchell has been great when available, but his status isn’t guaranteed, as he’s listed as questionable for the game. The 49ers’ offense looks a lot different when Tevin Coleman is leading the charge.
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Not having CB Ambry Thomas would be a shame when it comes to depth, but it doesn’t affect starters Deommodore Lenoir or Charvarius Ward, both of whom have had good seasons. Thomas is listed as questionable, so whether or not the 49ers will have to test their depth remains to be seen.
With Garoppolo out, expect Josh Johnson to continue backing up Brock Purdy at quarterback.
Eagles Injury Report
Did Not Participate
None
Limited Participant
T.J. Edwards, LB (Ankle) – Cleared
Full Participant
Lane Johnson, OT (Groin) – Cleared
Avonte Maddox, CB (Toe) – Cleared
With no players on the DNP list, the Eagles are about as healthy as anybody could hope. While they have an extensive list of players on injured reserve, most of them are not starters — aside from punter Arryn Siposs.
Johnson’s availability last week was an open question, and the team’s pass protection dipped without him in the lineup earlier in the year. Seeing him fully healthy is a good sign, even if it was the expectation after he played last week.
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Philadelphia also returns nickel corner, Avonte Maddox. The Eagles had answers at nickel corner with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot — he played the vast majority of his snaps there last week and in Week 18 — but he’s more useful as a versatile do-it-all safety. With Maddox back in the mix, the Eagles can once again use regular-season interception leader Gardner-Johnson how they see fit.
T.J. Edwards first popped up on the injury report on Friday, so seeing him appear there is a concern, but he will be ready to go on game day. That’s big, given how important the running game and short passes are to the 49ers’ offense and how well Edwards has played all year.
