Injury Update: Right Before the Big Clash With Cardinals, 49ers Receive Bad News as Their No.1 Cornerback Suffers a Calf Injury and Is Almost Certainly Unable to Play

San Francisco, November 15, 2025
At the training center, the atmosphere of Thursday’s practice dropped instantly when the 49ers’ top defensive back suddenly stopped and grabbed his calf midway through a routine drill. Doctors rushed over for immediate evaluation. and the early signs were far from positive. With Nick Bosa and Fred Warner already sidelined in recent weeks. losing their most reliable cover man is the worst-case scenario before a crucial matchup.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan walked into the press conference looking visibly concerned. He later confirmed that the star defender could not participate in Friday’s walkthrough and was unlikely to recover in time for the showdown against the Cardinals. “It is really very difficult for us. he is someone the team always trusts. seeing him in pain like that makes everyone sad and worried. We will have to evaluate very carefully and we do not want to risk his long-term future” Shanahan shared. His words immediately sent waves of anxiety through 49ers fans.

It wasn’t until later in the day that the team officially revealed the identity of the injured player. Deommodore Lenoir, their true No.1 cornerback and anchor of the secondary, had suffered a calf strain that could easily worsen if rushed back. Without him, the 49ers defense suddenly finds itself stretched thin. especially against a Cardinals offense that still features enough speed threats to attack the perimeter despite their own injury issues.

Darrell Luter Jr is expected to step in as the replacement. but this marks a massive challenge for a young defender who has not carried such responsibility before. Shanahan and his staff now face the task of reshaping the defensive plan with less than 48 hours before kickoff. adjusting coverages and leaning heavily on schematic discipline to make up for the absence of their top corner.

Even so, the 49ers are trying to maintain composure as game day approaches. The coaching staff insists there are contingency plans to minimize the pressure on the secondary. while the offense led by Brock Purdy is expected to shoulder more responsibility. But there is no denying that losing Lenoir at this moment feels like a heavy blow to San Francisco’s push for playoff positioning. Once again, the 49ers must confront adversity in the most critical stretch of the season.