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The Falcons have a pretty lengthy injury report this week, but how about their opponents? The San Francisco 49ers, as it turns out, are likely to be missing a couple of key players in this matchup, which is already stacking up to be a difficult one for them.
David Fucillo at Niners Nation filled us in.
Out
WR Torrey Smith: He suffered a concussion last Sunday, and was briefly knocked out. This week he said he did not remember what happened between the play and when he was in his car being driven home. He did not practice at all this week, and it remains to be seen when he will be out of the concussion protocol. Quinton Patton and Jeremy Kerley will get the bulk of the work, with Chris Harper likely the team's third wide receiver. Rod Streater and Aaron Burbridge would get some work behind those three. The 49ers passing game is a mess and Smith has been a non-factor, so I don't think it really matters.
Doubtful
OT Joe Staley: The 49ers cornerstone left tackle suffered a hamstring injury a week ago Wednesday while preparing for Week 14. He was listed as doubtful last week and did not play, so I do not expect him to play this week. Left guard Zane Beadles has been the team's swing tackle, and started at left tackle last week. He is a decent veteran. Nothing great, but he's an adequate fill-in. The bigger issue is in the middle. Backup center Marcus Martin took over at left guard with Beadles moving to LT. However, center Daniel Kilgore tore his hamstring early in the Week 14 game. Martin moved over to center and Andrew Tiller moved in at left guard. Tiller is viewed by most as better than Martin. Now, the center position is in some trouble.
Others
Colin Kaepernick was listed on the practice participation report with a neck injury. He suffered it either during or after the team's Wednesday practice and was added to the report on Thursday. He was listed as full on Thursday and Friday, and is not on the final report.