A blockbuster clash between two divisional rivals who are legitimate contenders should be a blockbuster way to kick off Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season with a Thursday Night Football game. However, when the San Francisco 49ers come to SoFi Stadium to challenge the Los Angeles Rams, most people will focus on the injury report.
A roster that injuries for most of the year have ravaged might be entering its most unfortunate game so far. The 49ers’ roster has been ransacked from top to bottom. As a result, the inactive list for the game has become crucial for fans of both teams to monitor as they try to take the lead in the NFC West.
Inactives for 49ers and Rams
San Francisco 49ers
- QB Brock Purdy
- RB Jordan James
- WR Jauan Jennings
- WR Ricky Pearsall
- WR Jordan Watkins
- DL Robert Beal
- LB Nick Martin
An offense that is already missing Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle is going to have to pray for a miracle to show any type of competency. Mac Jones is once again going to be in the driver’s seat.
But it would be hard to find any Niners fan optimistic about his team’s chances heading into the game. Unless Christian McCaffrey is suddenly going to turn back the clock, it is hard to find a path where the 49ers remain competitive offensively.
Los Angeles Rams
- QB Stetson Bennett
- OG Beaux Limmer
- OT Rob Havenstein
- TE Tyler Higbee
- DE Desjuan Johnson
Starters for 49ers vs. Rams
San Francisco 49ers
An injury-ravaged 49ers offense will feature:
- QB Mac Jones
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- WR Demarcus Robinson
- WR Skyy Moore
- WR Kendrick Bourne
- TE Jake Tonges
- FB Kyle Juszczyk
- LT Trent Williams
- LG Connor Colby
- C Jake Brendel
- RG Dominick Puni
- RT Colton McKivitz
The defense, which has been a massive upgrade from last season, will feature:
- LDE Bryce Huff
- LDT Kalia Davis
- RDT Jordan Elliott
- RDE Mykel Williams
- WLB Dee Winters
- MLB Fred Warner
- SLB Luke Gifford
- LCB Renardo Green
- SS Marques Sigle
- FS Jason Pinnock
- RCB Deommodore Lenoir
- NB Upton Stout
Their special teams unit will have the following players:
- PK Eddy Pineiro
- P, H Thomas Morstead
- PR Skyy Moore
- KR Isaac Guerendo
- LS Jon Weeks
Their defense and special teams unit should be able to function at near-peak capacity. But the worry for the 49ers is singular. With an offense that has virtually no name power outside of McCaffrey, facing off against Los Angeles is going to be a nightmare.
Los Angeles Rams
One of the most prolific offenses in the league for the Rams will feature:
- QB Matthew Stafford
- RB Kyren Williams
- WR Puka Nacua
- WR Davante Adams
- WR Jordan Whittington
- TE Davis Allen
- LT Alaric Jackson
- LG Steve Avila
- C Coleman Shelton
- RG Kevin Dotson
- RT Warren McClendon Jr.
Their defense, while still rebuilding, is starting to show signs of its potential with:
- LDE Braden Fiske
- NT Poona Ford
- RDE Kobie Turner
- WLB Byron Young
- LILB Nate Landman
- RILB Omar Speights
- SLB Jared Verse
- LCB Cobie Durant
- SS Kam Curl
- FS Kamren Kinchens
- RCB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.
- NB Quentin Lake
The special teams unit, which has been excellent barring the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles, will feature:
- PK Joshua Karty
- P, H Ethan Evans
- PR Xavier Smith
- KR Jordan Whittington
- LS Alex Ward
Going up against a team with virtually no starters at the skill positions on offense should be easy for this Rams team. They’ve looked like a legitimate Super Bowl contender through four weeks, so their sole focus must be avoiding mistakes.
If they can clear just that barometer, then a victory seems almost guaranteed to them on Thursday Night.
