In this edition of the NFC West Report, we catch up with the San Francisco 49ers three division rivals as the preseason nears its conclusion.
How have the teams fared in the exhibition season? Are injuries affecting the rosters? What should you keep an eye on before Week 1 of the regular season?
Find out below.
St. Louis Rams
Star tracker: Nick Foles has looked strong leading the Rams offense this month, especially in Week 3 of the preseason versus the Indianapolis Colts. The signal-caller completed 10-of-11 passes for 128 yards and a score. He finished his night with a 145.5 passer rating. Foles' best throw came via a 44-yard touchdown pass to Chris Givens. Reigning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald recorded consecutive tackles for losses against the Colts near the goal line. The defensive tackle has seven total tackles this preseason. Fellow defensive linemen Robert Quinn and Nick Fairley have received limited reps in the exhibition games.
Injuries: Starting cornerback E.J. Gaines (foot) was placed on the Injured Reserve List on Monday. Running back Tre Mason (hamstring) and offensive guard Jamon Brown (ankle) left Saturday's game early with their ailments, but head coach Jeff Fisher said neither player is expected to miss extended time. Starting wide receiver Brian Quick (shoulder) made his preseason debut against the Colts but was not targeted in nine snaps.
Storyline to watch: This could go in the section above, but since he's the headline grabber, Todd Gurley's name moves to here. Taken 10th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft despite rehabbing an ACL injury, Gurley appears to be inching closer and closer to a return to game action. The running back began participating in team drills last week but hasn't played in the preseason hit. Fisher has said that the Rams want to bring Gurley along slowly. So with Gurley's timeline uncertain and Mason nursing a hamstring injury, it is possible that St. Louis is forced to go with Benny Cunningham for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco and St. Louis have a long history, going back to 1950. Here are photos from the 49ers home games.
1950s -- 49ers running back Joe Perry.
Sept. 25, 1955 -- Rams fullback Tom McCormick.
Oct. 2, 1960 -- 49ers fullback J.D. Smith.
Oct. 29, 1970 -- Rams lineman Deacon Jones.
Jan. 2, 1983 -- Rams defensive end Reggie Doss.
Jan. 2, 1983 -- 49ers pass-catcher Dwight Clark.
Oct. 14, 1984 -- Rams running back Eric Dickerson.
Oct. 9, 1983 -- 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott.
Dec. 14, 1984 -- 49ers running back Wendell Tyler and Rams linebacker Jim Collins.
Dec. 19, 1986 -- 49ers running back Roger Craig.
Dec. 19, 1986 -- 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.
Dec. 19, 1986 -- 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice.
Oct. 4, 1992 -- Rams running back Cleveland Gray.
Oct. 4, 1992 -- 49ers quarterback Steve Young.
Ricky Watters
Sept. 8, 1996 -- 49ers defender Chris Doleman and Rams quarterback Tony Banks.
Sept. 8, 1996 -- 49ers running back Garrison Hearst.
Sept. 8, 1996 -- 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice.
Oct. 12, 1997 -- 49ers running back Garrison Hearst.
Oct. 12, 1997 -- Rams left tackle Orlando Pace.
Oct. 12, 1997 -- 49ers quarterback Steve Young.
Dec. 27, 1998 -- Rams ball carrier June Henley.
Dec. 27, 1998 -- 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Dec. 27, 1998 -- 49ers quarterback Steve Young.
Nov. 21, 1999 -- 49ers lineman Bryant Young and Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.
Nov. 21, 1999 -- 49ers running back Charlie Garner.
Nov. 21, 1999 -- 49ers defender Winfred Tubbs and Rams running back Marshall Faulk.
Oct. 29, 2000 -- 49ers cornerback Jason Webster.
Oct. 29, 2000 -- 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Sept. 23, 2001 -- 49ers running back Kevan Barlow.
Sept. 23, 2001 -- 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia.
Sept. 23, 2001 -- 49ers safety Lance Schulters and Rams running back Marshall Faulk.
Nov. 2, 2003 -- 49ers wide receiver Brandon Lloyd.
Nov. 2, 2003 -- 49ers lineman Bryant Young and Rams quarterback Marc Bulger.
Nov. 2, 2003 -- 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens.
Oct. 3, 2004 -- 49ers wide receiver Curtis Conway and Rams running back Marshall Faulk.
Sept. 11, 2005 -- 49ers wide receiver Arnaz Battle.
Sept. 11, 2005 -- 49ers running back Kevan Barlow.
Sept. 11, 2005 -- 49ers quarterback Tim Rattay.
Sept. 17, 2006 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
Nov. 18, 2007 -- 49ers lineman Bryant Young.
Nov. 18, 2007 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
Nov. 16, 2008 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
Nov. 16, 2008 -- 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.
Oct. 4, 2009 -- 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald.
Oct. 4, 2009 -- 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.
Dec. 4, 2011 -- 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Ram coach Steve Spagnuolo.
Dec. 4, 2011 -- 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers defensive end Demarcus Dobbs.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.
Nov. 11, 2012 -- 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith.
Arizona Cardinals
Star tracker: Carson Palmer, coming off an ACL injury, is 15-of-33 passing for 268 yards and a touchdown through three preseason games. The quarterback threw two interceptions on Sunday versus the Oakland Raiders. Larry Fitzgerald has caught three passes for 36 yards while John Brown has hauled in five passes for 92 yards and a score. Safety Tyrann Mathieu has two tackles and an interception, picking off Kansas City Chiefs Alex Smith in Arizona's preseason opener. Patrick Peterson only has recorded one tackle in limited playing time.
Injuries: Starting wide receiver Michael Flloyd (finger) is expected to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the New Orleans Saints. Starting linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (hamstring) hasn't practiced in pads so far this month after sustaining his injury on the first day of training camp. The Cardinals are hopeful that Weatherspoon will return to field sometime this week. Starting nose tackle Corey Peters (Achilles) is out for the season. Starting left guard Mike Iupati (knee), signed away from the 49ers this offseason, will miss the first month of the regular season after undergoing surgery. Running back Chris Johnson (hamstring) is questionable for the start of the regular season.
Storyline to watch: The Cardinals appear to have question marks on their offensive line. The unit has allowed 10 sacks this preseason, including five of Palmer. With Iupati injured and right tackle Bobby Massie suspended for the first four games of 2015, Arizona will have to piece together its protection until October. Earl Watford (left guard) and Bradley Sowell (right tackle) are slated to fill in for the starters in the interim. The 49ers face the Cardinals in the desert in Week 3.
San Francisco and Arizona have faced off 51 times. Here are the best shots from the teams' meetings.
1987 -- 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.
1987 -- 49ers running back Roger Craig.
1988 -- 49ers running back Roger Craig.
1991 -- 49ers running back Keith Henderson.
1991 -- Brown and Gelbaugh.
1993 -- 49ers pass-catcher Brent Jones.
1993 -- 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice and Cardinals defensive back Robert Massey.
1993 -- 49ers running back Ricky Waters.
1993 -- Waters.
1999 -- 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia.
2000 -- 49ers pass-rusher Bryant Young and Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer.
2000 -- 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia.
2000 -- 49ers running back Charlie Garner.
2002 -- 49ers running back Kevan Barlow.
2002 -- 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens.
2005 -- Smith and Dockett.
2005 -- 49ers defensive back Mike Adams and Boldin.
2006 -- Smith.
2006 -- Gore.
2006 -- 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.
2007 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2007 -- Smith.
2007 -- The line of scrimmage.
2007 -- 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.
2007 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
2008 -- Gore.
2008 -- 49ers tight end Vernon Davis and Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson.
2008 -- 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill.
2008 -- Warner.
2009 -- 49ers cornerback Dre Bly.
2009 -- Gore.
2009 -- 49ers cornerack Nate Clements and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
2010 -- Brooks.
2010 -- 49ers linebacker Takeo Spikes.
2010 -- Davis.
2011 -- 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
2011 -- 49ers running back Kendall Hunter.
2011 -- 49ers punter Andy Lee.
2012 -- 49ers cornerback Tarell Brown.
2012 - Davis
2012 - Gore
2012 - Staley
2013 - Anquan Boldin
2013 - Boldin
2013 - Colin Kaepernick
2014 - Carlos Hyde
2014 - Brooks
2014 - Reid
2014 - Kaepernick
2014 - Staley
2015 - Lynch
2015 - Hyde
2015 - Dontae Johnson
2015 - Staley
2015 - 49ers Defense
2015 - Tartt
2016 - Buckner
2016 - Ward
2016 - Hyde
2016 - Reid
2016 - Pinion
2016 - Reid
2017 - Armstead
2017 - Eli Harold
2017 - Ray-Ray Armstrong
2017 - Buckner
2017 - Matt Breida
2017 - Solomon Thomas
2017 - Elvis Dumervil
2017 - Dumervil
2017 - Pierre Garçon
2017 - Hyde
2017 - Robbie Gould
Seattle Seahawks
Star tracker: Russell Wilson finished 10-of-16 passing for in his first two preseason games before completing 7-of-15 attempts for 56 yards on Saturday against the San Diego Chargers. Wilson was sacked one time and rushed for 23 yards on four attempts. He has not thrown a touchdown pass yet. Marshawn Lynch has only carried the ball twice for six yards this preseason. Marquee trade acquisition Jimmy Graham has caught six passes for 75 yards. Richard Sherman made his exhibition debut versus San Diego, tallying two tackles. Bobby Wagner has amassed eight tackles and an interception.
Injuries: Starting left tackle Russell Okung (shoulder) was a late scratch prior to the team's Week 3 preseason game on Saturday, but coach Pete Carroll said that Okung could have played if it were the regular season. Starting linebacker K.J. Wright (shoulder) is not likely to miss any more time after leaving the Chargers game early. Starting full safety Earl Thomas (shoulder) has not appeared in any exhibition contest, but various reports suggest that he is expected to be ready for the regular season. Cornerback Jeremy Lane (knee) and wide receiver Paul Richardson (knee) were placed on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List on Monday, meaning they cannot return until after Week 6 of the regular season.
Storyline to watch: Kam Chancellor, a three-time Pro Bowl safety, continues to hold out over a contract dispute. The 27-year-old has eight career forced fumbles, eight interceptions, and 30 pass breakups. Since 2011, Chancellor has averaged 93 tackles per season. His status as the regular season approaches will have a significant impact on the Seahawks defense. Without him, the Chargers and Chiefs were a combined 11-for-20 on third down conversions against the Seahawks first unit.
The 49ers and Seahawks have a long history, going back to 1976. Here are photos from their 38 meetings.
1984 -- 49ers running back Wendell Tyler.
1985 -- 49ers quarterback Joe Montana.
1986 -- Seahawks wideout Steve Largent and 49ers safety Ronnie Lott.
1989 -- 49ers wideout Jerry Rice.
1990 -- 49ers running back Roger Craig.
1991 -- 49ers quarterback Steve Young.
1993 -- 49ers wideout Jerry Rice.
Ricky Watters
1995 -- 49ers pass-catcher Brent Jones.
1997 -- 49ers line of scrimmage.
1997 -- 49ers running back Terry Kirby.
1997 -- 49ers quarterback Steve Young.
1999 -- 49ers center Jeremy Newberry.
2001 -- 49ers running back Garrison Hearst.
2001 -- 49ers quarterback Tim Rattay.
2001 -- Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander.
2002 -- Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and 49ers pass-rusher John Engleberger.
2002 -- 49ers quarterback Jeff Garcia.
2002 -- 49ers running back Garrison Hearst.
2002 -- 49ers running back Garrison Hearst.
2002 -- 49ers cornerback Jimmy Williams.
2002 -- 49ers wideout Terrell Owens.
2003 -- 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich.
2004 -- Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and 49ers pass-rushers John Engleberger and Julian Peterson.
2005 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
2005 -- 49ers quarterback Ken Dorsey.
2005 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
2005 -- 49ers running back Kevan Barlow.
2005 -- 49ers linebacker Derek Smith.
2005 -- 49ers wideout Brandon Lloyd.
2005 -- 49ers running back Maurice Hicks.
2006 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
2006 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2006 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2007 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
2007 -- 49ers tackle Bryant Young and Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander.
2007 -- 49ers pass-rusher Bryant Young and Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace.
2007 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2007 -- 49ers linebacker Derek Smith.
2007 -- 49ers long snapper Brian Jennings.
2007 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2007 -- 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich.
2007 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
2008 -- 49ers tight end Delanie Walker.
2008 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2008 -- 49ers linebacker Manny Lawson.
2008 -- 49ers safety Michael Lewis.
2008 -- Line of scrimmage.
2008 -- 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill.
2008 -- 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.
2008 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
2008 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
2009 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
2009 -- 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree.
2009 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2009 -- 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith.
2009 -- 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith.
2009 -- 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith.
2009 -- 49ers linebacker Takeo Spikes.
2010 -- 49ers cornerback Nate Clements.
2011 -- 49ers cornerback Nate Clements and Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.
2011 -- 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.
2011 -- 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman.
2011 -- 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks.
2011 -- 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith.
2011 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
2012 -- 49ers wideout Michael Crabtree.
2012 -- 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks.
2012 -- 49ers tight end Delanie Walker.
2012 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2012 -- 49ers running back LaMichael James.
2012 -- 49ers running back LaMichael James.
2012 -- 49ers wideout Mario Manningham.
2012 -- 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
2013 -- 49ers wideout Anquan Boldin.
2013 -- 49ers left tackle Joe Staley.
2013 -- 49ers wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
2013 -- 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman.
2013 -- 49ers running back Frank Gore.
2013 -- 49ers special teamer Kassim Osgood.
2014 -- 49ers running back Carlos Hyde
2015 -- 49ers LB Eli Harold
2015 -- 49ers defensive back Dontae Johnson
2015 -- LB Aaron Lynch
2015 -- 49ers Safety Antoine Bethea
2015 -- 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead
2015 -- 49ers tight end Garrett Celek
2015 -- 49ers safety Eric Reid
2015 -- 49ers defensive backs Eric Reid and Jimmie Ward
2016 -- DL DeForest Buckner
2016 -- RB Carlos Hyde
2016 -- RB Carlos Hyde
2016 -- RB Carlos Hyde
2016 -- DL Tank Carradine
2016 -- T Joe Staley
2016 -- TE Garrett Celek
2017 -- LB Aaron Lynch
2017 -- DL DeForest Buckner
2017 -- RB Carlos Hyde
2017 -- DL Tank Carradine
2017 -- LB Brock Coyle
