SEATTLE — Cornerback Charvarius Ward, after undergoing a pregame conditioning test, will miss his first 49ers game since joining the franchise in 2022.
Ward was listed as questionable for tonight’s game against the host Seahawks because of a knee bruise after Sunday’s 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Two hours before kickoff, Ward labored through a five-minute conditioning test in front of trainer Dustin Little and defensive backs coaches Daniel Bullocks and Andrew Hayes-Stoker. That quartet huddled for another five minutes before Ward retreated to chat with fellow cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. Ward then took a seat on the 49ers bench where he briefly talked with 49ers general manager John Lynch.
Isaac Yiadom and Rendardo Green are the 49ers’ next-best cornerbacks behind Ward and Lenoir, with Rock Ya-Sin and Darrell Luter Jr. also on the roster.
Ward spoke Tuesday about how he felt “good, good enough” entering his favorite matchup each season against the Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf.
After making his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro last season with a career-high five interceptions, Ward has struggled this season to regain the form of a No. 1 cornerback. Neither he nor any other defensive back has yet to record an interception for the 49ers (2-3) this season. Ward played his first four seasons with the Chiefs before joining the 49ers on a three-year deal that expires at season’s end.
Ward had played in all 45 games (playoffs included) since signing with the 49ers in 2022, and his consecutive start streak was at 58 when including 13 games at the end of his Chiefs tenure. He played in the Week 3 loss at Los Angeles after being listed as questionable with hamstring and knee issues. Ward had core-muscle surgery in February and did not take part in the voluntary offseason program.
49ERS MOVES
Defensive tackle Evan Anderson and safety Jaylen Mahoney, a pair of undrafted rookies, got elevated from the practice squad before kickoff. Both made their NFL debuts in the Sept. 29 win over New England, with Anderson recording a sack.
On Wednesday, the 49ers ruled out a quartet: defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (knee), linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf), kicker Jake Moody (right ankle) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist), the latter of whom went on injured reserve.
Also inactive are No. 3 quarterback Joshua Dobbs, offensive lineman Ben Barch and tight end Brayden Willis, the latter of whom was signed Wednesday off the practice squad.
Making his 49ers debut tonight is kicker Matthew Wright (No. 35) as Moody recovers from Sunday’s high-ankle sprain.
SEAHAWKS MOVES
Nickel back Artie Burns, a ninth-year veteran, was signed off the Seahawks practice squad to help cover for Tariq Woolen, who is out with an ankle injury.
Also ruled out Wednesday were defensive linemen Byron Murphy (hamstring) and Uchenna Nwosu (thigh), the latter of whom went on injured reserve.
Joining Murphy and Woolen on the inactive list: linebacker Trevis Gipson, center Olu Oluwatimi, safety Sataoa Laumea, wide receiver Dareke Young and defensive end Myles Adams.
Other Seattle moves: nose tackle Cameron Young was activated off the physically unable to perform list; guard McClendon Curtis was waived; and, outside linebacker Jamie Sheriff and safety Ty Okada were elevated from the practice squad.
CLUB IR
Wednesday, the 49ers moved Hufanga onto the injured reserve list because of torn ligaments in his wrist. Hufanga, 11 months removed from a season-ending knee injury, hasn’t played more than 1 1/2 games this season; he debuted in the Week 3 loss at the Rams, sat out with an ankle injury the next Sunday’s win against the Patriots, then injured his wrist before halftime of Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals.
Others on Injured Reserve include running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps), linebacker Curtis Robinson (knee), and, defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee). Guard Jon Feliciano (knee), cornerback Ambry Thomas (forearm) and running back Elijah Mitchell (knee) went on IR before the season opener, although Mitchell was ruled out for the season before the initial 53-man roster cut.
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Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (chest) could have his three-week practice window open next week, having been on the non-football-injury list since his Aug. 31 gunshot wound from a San Francisco robbery attempt. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is expected to play at some point this season but there’s been no indication that could come before the Nov. 2 bye.
Teams are allowed eight activations of players off injured reserve, and the 49ers used their first last week on defensive tackle Kalia Davis. Greenlaw would not count against that because of an injury traced to last season.