MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Wide receiver Torrey Smith will return to action, but the 49ers will not have either outside linebacker Aaron Lynch or defensive lineman Quinton Dial available Sunday to face the Miami Dolphins.
Smith missed the first game of his six-year NFL career last week due to a shoulder injury. Smith ranks fifth on the 49ers with 17 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
Cornerback Jimmie Ward, who sustained a concussion last week against the New England Patriots, cleared the NFL's return-to-play concussion protocol and will play in the game.
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Lynch has been ruled out for the fourth consecutive game due to a high-ankle sprain. Lynch has appeared in just three games this season. He served a four-game suspension to begin the season for violating the NFL’s policy on substances of abuse.
Eli Harold will start in place of Lynch, while Tony Jerod-Eddie gets the call to replace Dial in the starting lineup, the 49ers announced. The 49ers enter the game with the league's 32nd-ranked defense.
Dial saw limited practice time this week due to knee and neck issues. He was listed as questionable before the 49ers made the decision 90 minutes prior to game time to deactivate him.
Defensive lineman Chris Jones and safety Vinnie Sunseri, newly promoted from the practice squad, will make their season debuts with the 49ers. Jones, a four-year veteran, was claimed off waivers from the Dolphins on Nov. 8.
San Francisco 49ers
The Dolphins will not have three of their starting offensive linemen available for Sunday’s game. Left tackle Branden Albert (wrist), left guard Laremy Tunsil (shoulder) and center Mike Pouncey (hip) were all announced as inactive for the game.
49ERS INACTIVES
QB Christian Ponder
RB Mike Davis
CB Marcus Cromartie
LB Aaron Lynch
T John Theus
TE Je’Ron Hamm
DL Quinton Dial
DOLPHINS INACTIVES
CB Jordan Lucas
CB Xavien Howard
C Mike Pouncey
T Laremy Tunsil
T Branden Albert
TE Thomas Duarte
DT Leon Orr