The first Monday Night Football matchup of the 2024 NFL regular season is here, as fans in the Bay Area will watch the New York Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers in Levi’s Stadium.
There’s a limited injury report in Week 1, with both franchises heading into the showdown mostly healthy.
Here’s a look at the inactive list and the likely starters for tonight’s game.
New York Jets vs. San Francisco 49ers Inactives
Jets Designated as Out
- G Wes Schweitzer
- LB Zaire Barnes
- OL Max Mitchell
- RB Israel Abanikanda
- T Carter Warren
- TE Brenden Bates
- DL Eric Watts
- DL Leonard Taylor
- CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
49ers Designated as Out
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos
- LB Dee Winters
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- LB Dee Winters
- S Talanoa Hufanga
- CB Darrell Luter
- QB Josh Dobbs
- G Ben Bartch
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
The New York Jets only have two players out, as linebacker Zaire Barnes and offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer will miss New York’s season opener. However, the Jets will be without one other player, but not due to injury. The Haason Reddick saga continues as the player and franchise hold firm in their standoff.
Reddick has not reported to the facility since his opening press conference on April 1, 2024, when the Jets sent a conditional third-round selection to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the linebacker. He requested a trade from the Jets on Aug. 12 related to a contract holdout. He remains on the Reserve/Did Not Report list.
The San Francisco 49ers will be missing some more substantial pieces tonight. Starting weak-side linebacker Dee Winters was held out of practice all week while rehabbing his ankle injury. Backup defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos will also be held out of San Francisco’s home opener as he recovers from his knee injury.
However, the inactives aren’t the only concerns for the 49ers. Running back Christian McCaffrey, guard Aaron Banks, and safety Talanoa Hufanga were limited in practice throughout the week. While McCaffrey, returning from a calf injury suffered in training camp, and Banks were given the go-ahead to suit up, Hufanga is labeled as doubtful and will likely only see the field in an emergency.
Additionally, while left tackle Trent Williams and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are both healthy, will their absence from preseason and training camp due to contract holdouts make for a slow start? Williams is needed for the 49ers blocking schemes, but San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said he didn’t expect Aiyuk to get the standard workload in terms of snaps this week.
Regarding health, both franchises head into the Week 1 Monday Night Football matchup primarily healthy and eager to get a Week 1 win. Here’s a look at the projected starters for tonight’s game.
Who Comprises the Projected Starting Lineup for Each Team?
Jets Projected Starters
The projected starting lineup is based on the current Jets depth chart.
- Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers
- Running Back: Breece Hall
- Wide Receiver: Mike Williams, Garrett Wilson, Xavier Gipson
- Tight End: Tyler Conklin
- Left Offensive Tackle: Tyron Smith
- Left Offensive Guard: John Simpson
- Center: Joe Tippmann
- Right Offensive Guard: Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Right Offensive Tackle: Morgan Moses
- Left Defensive End: Will McDonald IV
- Left Defensive Tackle: Javon Kinlaw
- Right Defensive Tackle: Quinnen Williams
- Right Defensive End: Jermaine Johnson
- Strongside Linebacker: Jamien Sherwood
- Middle Linebacker: C.J. Mosley
- Weakwide Linebacker: Quincy Williams
- Left Cornerback: Sauce Gardner
- Right Cornerback: D.J. Reed
- Free Safety: Tony Adams
- Strong Safety: Chuck Clark
- Kicker: Greg Zuerlein
- Punter: Thomas Morstead
- Long Snapper: Thomas Hennessy
- Kickoff Returner: Xavier Gipson
- Punt Returner: Xavier Gipson
49ers Projected Starters
The projected starting lineup is based on the current 49ers depth chart.
- Quarterback: Brock Purdy
- Running Back: Christian McCaffrey
- Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk
- Wide Receiver: Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel Sr., Jacob Cowing
- Tight End: George Kittle
- Left Offensive Tackle: Trent Williams
- Left Offensive Guard: Aaron Banks
- Center: Jake Brendel
- Right Offensive Guard: Spencer Burford
- Right Offensive Tackle: Colton McKivitz
- Left Defensive End: Nick Bosa
- Left Defensive Tackle: Maliek Collins
- Right Defensive Tackle: Javon Hargrave
- Right Defensive End: Leonard Floyd
- Strongside Linebacker: De’Vondre Campbell Sr.
- Middle Linebacker: Fred Warner
- Weakwide Linebacker: Curtis Robinson
- Left Cornerback: Charvarius Ward
- Right Cornerback: Deommodore Lenoir
- Free Safety: Ji’Ayir Brown
- Strong Safety: Talanoa Hufanga
- Kicker: Jake Moody
- Punter: Mitch Wishnowsky
- Long Snapper: Taybor Pepper
- Kickoff Returner: Jordan Mason
- Punt Returner: Ronnie Bell