49ers Star TE George Kittle, CB Ward Questionable vs. Steelers

The 49ers and Steelers will meet on Sunday, and San Francisco has some injuries to worry about. Star tight end George Kittle (groin) and standout cornerback Charvarius Ward (heel) are both questionable, having practiced on a limited basis on Friday. Kittle noted yesterday that he felt ‘wonderful’ and Ward’s injury is minor, so Kyle Shanahan noted he expected him to play. Others, such as safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee), kicker Jake Moody (quad), and others, are set to go.

Ward raised alarm bells when he missed Thursday’s practice after not being on the injury report on Wednesday. If Ward could, for some reason, not go, Deommodore Lenoir and Ambry Thomas would be the two starters against Pittsburgh. Thomas usually only comes in during sub-packages for the 49ers.

Coming over from the Chiefs a year ago, Ward quickly took the mantle as the top cornerback on the 49ers team. Ward often shadows top receivers for the other team. At 6-foot-1 with great length, he seems like the ideal player to try slowing Pickens down at the catch point. Both players are ultra-competitive at the catch point, so that would be a competitive matchup.

Kittle played in the 49ers last preseason game against the Chargers but suffered a setback with his groin injury heading up to the Steelers game. It seems that is smoothed chiefly over at this point, as most signs point to Kittle suiting up and playing. Kittle suffered the injury during training camp and has logged only two practices in the last three weeks. Kittle missed the first two weeks of last season with a groin strain, and it appears now that the standout tight end has questions about if he will play to start the year. But it seems to be trending in the right direction.

Conversely, the Steelers’ only designation is Larry Ogunjobi, who is questionable with a foot injury. Cam Heyward missed practice on Thursday with a stomach ailment but will play and is listed without an injury designation.