49ers Rule Out Starting Cornerback Against the Lions

The 49ers will be down another key starter against the Lions on Monday night.

Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) during the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images / Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

The 49ers will be down another key starter against the Lions on Monday night.

All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward will not be active when the 49ers take on the Lions. He is out with a "personal" issue, which head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified at his press conference on Saturday.

“Yeah. Stuff I can't totally share," said Shanahan. "I haven't talked to him about it, so we'll keep it personal. But, nothing bad happened.”

Asked Kyle Shanahan if Charvarius Ward was out for personal/good news and Shanahan said yes, but he could not share.

Ward and his family have been expecting the arrival of a baby boy https://t.co/Jm15xC0zpL

— JLC - I'm on bluesky @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) December 28, 2024

According to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, Ward and his family have been expecting the arrival of a baby boy. So, this is the good news that Shanahan was hinting at and didn't want to share. This is beautiful news for Ward and his family given the tragedy that occurred to them two months ago.

2024 has been a rough one for Ward with that tragedy at the forefront. Yet, he still came back to the 49ers to do his job and play for his team. Ward hasn't been great at all this season, but deserves credit for toughing it out given all that has happened to him.

With Ward out against the Lions, rookie Renardo Green will get the start. Green has been amazing this year and is one of the bright spots of the 49ers this season. Should Ward miss the regular season finale against the Cardinals, they can be comfortable knowing Green is strong.

I'd imagine Ward will sit out the final game as well. There isn't a point for him to return. He's proven his love for the game and for his team already. It's time for him to take more time and turn the page to a hopeful 2025 for him and his family.

Read more of 49ers on SI

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• 49ers Injury Report: 3 Key Players Questionable Versus Lions

• 49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir Deserves Pro Bowl Honor

• Another 49ers Starting Offensive Lineman Misses Practice

• 5 Players Probably Playing Their Last Games With the 49ers

• 49ers' Kyle Shanahan on Jake Moody: "He can still be our guy"

• Why the 49ers Needed to Let Dre Greenlaw Play

• One Factor Contributing to 49ers' Brock Purdy's Regression

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