San Francisco 49ers’ Jordan Reed, right, tries to grab a pass over New York Giants’ Logan Ryan during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
SANTA CLARA — Three 49ers did not practice Thursday because of illness amid COVID-19 precautions: tight end Jordan Reed and linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair and Dre Greenlaw.
Had any of them tested positive for the coronavirus, they would have gone on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list before 1 p.m.
The 49ers (4-6) had only one healthy linebacker on the active roster participate Thursday, that being leading tackler Fred Warner, who was on COVID-19 reserve just before the season started.
Safety Marcell Harris moonlighted as a linebacker last game and in practice this week, so he is an option if the ailing linebackers can’t play Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams (6-3). Jonas Griffith is the 49ers’ only linebacker on the practice squad.
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) remains out of practice and Mark Nzeocha (quadriceps) is on Injured Reserve.
Reed’s absence is especially concerning in that George Kittle (foot fracture) is on Injured Reserve and Daniel Helm is among seven 49ers on COVID-19 reserve. Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner might be Nick Mullens’ only options at tight end to target if Reed is out.
No 49ers came off that COVID-19 reserve list Thursday, even after Wednesday’s activations of Arik Armstead and Hroniss Grasu.
Among those still out are four starters: left tackle Trent Williams, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and defensive tackles D.J. Jones and Javon Kinlaw.
Also on the COVID-19 reserve list are tight end Daniel Helm, linebacker Joe Walker and defensive end Jordan Willis.
Cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) remained out of practice.
