49ers injury report lists 5 of 6 cornerbacks

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This doesn’t sound like a recipe for victory: Three days before facing the Broncos and quarterback Peyton Manning, five of the 49ers’ six cornerbacks appeared on the injury report Thursday.

Of that quintet, however, three are expected to play Sunday night: Perrish Cox (quadriceps), Chris Cook (quadriceps) and Chris Culliver (shoulder). That trio was limited in practice Thursday.

“They’re dinged,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “But everyone’s dinged at this stage.”

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if rookie Jimmie Ward (quadriceps) and Tramaine Brock (turf toe) will be available to face an offense ranked third in the NFL in points per game (29.4) and fourth in passing yards (297.8).

Ward exited the 31-17 win over the Rams on Monday night in the third quarter and hasn’t practiced this week. Fangio acknowledged his injury was the most severe.

Brock practiced Wednesday for the first time since he was sidelined in the season opener at Dallas on Sept. 7. On Thursday, he said his toe was sore after he was limited in the session.

Dez Bryant is tackled by Tramaine Brock in the first half. Dez Bryant is tackled by Tramaine Brock in the first half. Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images Photo: Ronald Martinez, Getty Images Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close 49ers injury report lists 5 of 6 cornerbacks 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

“Just a little bit,” he said. “But I’m going to try to push through it this week to get the soreness out so I can be ready for Sunday.”

The 49ers could wait until after their bye next week to get Brock back on the field. It doesn’t appear to bode particularly well that Brock was experiencing soreness after Wednesday’s practice. Because they are playing two road games in a six-day period, the practice was abbreviated and held at half-speed.

Fangio said it would be telling to see how Brock responded to a more strenuous practice Thursday. He said Brock’s availability was unknown. Brock said he needed to guard against returning before he’s ready.

“I’m just trying to take my time so it’s not a worse injury in the future,” he said.

If both Ward and Brock are sidelined, the 49ers will likely employ the personnel they used to finish against the Rams on Monday. Cox will move inside to nickel corner, Cook will assume his spot on the outside and Culliver will man the other outside spot.

In such a scenario, rookie fourth-round pick Dontae Johnson would serve as the No. 3 corner and could receive extensive playing time against a pass-heavy attack. Johnson finished with a flourish Monday by returning an interception 20 yards for a touchdown with 53 seconds left to seal the victory.

“You can’t say enough about Peyton Manning and what he’s accomplished over the years,” Johnson said. “So many accolades and such a great player. It definitely adds to the competitiveness. You just want to come out there and compete. I feel like with the game plan that we have put in place, that’s what we have to do: Go out and execute, compete and play hard.”

Willis out: If there was any doubt inside linebacker Patrick Willis (toe) would be sidelined Sunday, Cox erased it during an interview at his locker.

“We’ve all got trust in (linebacker) Chris Borland,” Cox said. “… He’s got big shoes to fill. We’re going to miss Pat in this game, but we’ve all just got to step in.”

Willis hasn’t practiced this week and his left foot remains in a walking boot.