49ers Short-Week Test Without Key Players

A Thursday short-week rematch shapes up as a daunting test for the San Francisco 49ers, who must try to slow Matthew Stafford and the NFL’s leading receiver Puka Nacua while operating with limited recovery time. San Francisco will be missing multiple key contributors — Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings — with Mac Jones slated to start, and the defense has lacked recent splash plays, increasing pressure on the secondary. Rookie nickel Upton Stout and safety Marques Sigle face particularly difficult matchups, with Stout expected to cover Nacua and Sigle vulnerable to downfield targets, making their performances pivotal. Fred Warner remains the veteran centerpiece tasked with limiting the Rams’ rushing success and downfield threats. The Rams plan to exploit those matchups, leaning on Stafford’s downfield work to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and bolstering their personnel with additions such as Poona Ford, Nate Landman and Jared Verse; the game risks becoming a mismatch for the 49ers unless San Francisco generates turnovers and near-flawless coverage.