Carolina will be without Jeremy Chinn, their best defender, as the safety went on the injured reserve earlier last week. Starting safety Xavier Woods is also out for the Panthers. So, the 49ers' offense will face a defense without its starting safeties.
Speaking of the safety position, Jimmie Ward wasn’t warming up with the starters during pre-game, per the media at the game. However, I’d be surprised if Ward wasn’t on the field during the first defensive drive.
Since Trent Williams hasn’t been placed on the injured reserve, some are assuming he will return sooner than the initial timetable of 4-to-6 weeks.