The conditions will be sloppy in Santa Clara tonight as wind and rain will play a significant factor:
The weather affects every player. The obvious is the quarterbacks as they handle the ball every play. Special teamers are equally as impacted — especially kickers and punters. Let’s see if that forces another aggressively called game for Kyle Shanahan on fourth down.
Trent Williams was listed as doubtful after not practicing all week. The Niners franchise left tackle will miss tonight’s game, and rookie Jaylon Moore will make his first career start protecting Jimmy Garoppolo and paving the way for the running backs. You could argue that not having Williams is a bigger blow for the running game.
Here’s a look at tonight’s inactives:
QB Trey Lance
WR Travis Benjamin
CB Ambry Thomas
CB Deommodore Lenoir
LT Trent Williams
DT Maurice Hurst
DT Javon Kinlaw
This means Aaron Banks is active for the first time this season. Will Banks rotate in or perhaps make his first career start? Kyle Shanahan probably wants to avoid two rookies starting for the first time along the offensive line, especially when one of them is replacing Williams.
I bet Banks starts. Why else would he be active for the first time? To be a backup? Perhaps we had the wrong rookie that needed to develop through the bye week the entire time. Were the 49ers grooming Banks to be their starter? We’ll find out soon.
Lenoir wasn’t on the injury report. So Benjamin goes from receiving more targets than Brandon Aiyuk last game to being a healthy scratch as well.
Here’s a look at the Colts inactives:
