San Francisco 49ers

49ers rule out Charvarius Ward for Monday Night Football

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Charvarius Ward will join the list of 49ers missing Monday night’s game against the Lions at Levi’s Stadium after the team ruled him out Sunday afternoon.

The veteran cornerback and his girlfriend, Monique Cook, have been expecting the birth of a baby boy. The team cited personal reasons for Ward’s absence after coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Friday that Ward had good news but declined to explain further.

Two months ago, Ward and Cook lost their first-born daughter unexpectedly at 23 months old. Ward missed three games in the wake of the devastating loss.

As a pending free agent, Ward may have played his last game for the 49ers. He has been with the team the last three seasons after signing as a free agent from Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl honors last year as the top corner on an NFC champion team.

He has 51 tackles and seven passes defensed this season after 72 tackles and five interceptions in 2023, including a two-pick, one-touchdown day last Dec. 17 at Arizona.

In his absence, more will be thrust on the recently extended Deommodore Lenoir against the Lions’ air attack, and rookie Renardo Green will likely start in Ward’s place. Free agent signee Isaac Yiadom also may see more playing time.

Along with Ward, left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) were ruled out earlier this week, as were guards Aaron Banks (knee) and Spencer Burford (calf). Williams was placed on injured reserve and Greenlaw is also out for the season.

NFL unveils Week 18 schedule, 49ers-Cardinals kickoff time

49ers to face Cardinals in Arizona for season finale

San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle (85) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals' Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (42) while attempting to get a first down in the fourth quarter of their NFL game at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. The Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers 24-23. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

The 49ers’ final game of the 2024-25 season will kick off at a familiar time.

Their road matchup with the Arizona Cardinals is set to begin at 1:25 p.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, Jan. 5, their ninth afternoon kick of the season. The game will air on Fox, KTVU Ch. 2 in the Bay Area.

The NFL unveiled its schedule for Week 18 on Sunday night after the Commanders beat the Falcons on Sunday Night Football, clinching a playoff spot. Two games — all between AFC North teams — will be played on Saturday, and the remaining 14 games will be Sunday.

The 49ers and Cardinals won’t be playing with those sort of stakes as both teams were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention last week. Arizona won the first meeting between the teams this season, upsetting the Niners 24-23 in an early-October comeback, San Francisco’s second blown lead to a divisional opponent in 15 days.

The Niners last played the Cardinals in a season finale in January 2023, when they beat Arizona 38-13 at home. They last closed a season in Arizona in 2020, when they relocated to State Farm Stadium for their final home games due to Santa Clara County COVID restrictions. That was a 26-23 loss to Seattle in a fourth-quarter collapse with C.J. Beathard at quarterback.

Below is the NFL’s full schedule for Week 18 (all times Pacific):

SATURDAY, JAN. 4

1:30 p.m.

Browns at Ravens (ESPN)

5 p.m.

Bengals at Steelers (ESPN)

SUNDAY, JAN. 5

10 a.m.

Commanders at Cowboys (Fox)

Bears at Packers (Fox)

Jaguars at Colts (Fox)

Saints at Buccaneers (Fox)

Panthers at Falcons (CBS)

Bills at Patriots (CBS)

Giants at Eagles (CBS)

Texans at Titans (CBS)

1:25 p.m.

49ERS at Cardinals (Fox)

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