49ers stars miss Wednesday practice ahead of Week 18 vs. Cardinals

SANTA CLARA — After playing on Monday night, the 49ers will be missing quite a few players for Wednesday's practice as they begin preparations for their final game of the 2024 NFL season against the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Kyle Shanahan read the lengthy injury list prior to the start of practice, sharing that the short week definitely is impacting the availability of his players. "We are only a day removed, so I think that's why there are a lot more on there than usual," Shanahan said. "But with it being a short week and where we are at with it being the lats game of the season, we're not going to ask guys to play through injuries. "Some are more serious than others, and hopefully these guys feel better as the week goes and they can get into practice tomorrow." One player that already been ruled out is quarterback Brock Purdy, who suffered an elbow contusion and nerve inflammation in the 49ers' loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. Shanahan announced backup Joshua Dobbs will start the regular-season finale. The Cardinals are dealing with their own injury issues after placing running back James Connor on injured reserve. Like the 49ers, Arizona has multiple running backs on...