NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Per ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury says S Budda Baker should return this week after missing Week 4 following thumb surgery. 
• Kingsbury doesn’t know if fellow safeties Jalen Thompson or Chris Banjo will make it back this week, though. (Bob McManaman)

49ers

• Matt Barrows of The Athletic explains that the 49ers released WR Mohamed Sanu on Tuesday because Richie James will return from injured reserve this week and they are thin at other positions. 
• As for the 49ers cutting Sanu over James or Dante Pettis, Barrows says a “significant factor” was Sanu not having any playing time on special teams when deciding on a non-starter to release. 
• Regarding the possibility of the 49ers pursuing free-agents Clay Matthews or Cameron Wake, Barrows writes that it “doesn’t sound like” HC Kyle Shanahan is eager to sign another edge rusher after DE Ziggy Ansah sustained a season-ending injury. 
• Barrows could see the 49ers drafting a defensive lineman in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft given they have used their last five first-round picks at the position in addition to Dee Ford and Nick Bosa dealing with injuries.  
• Barrows believes the 49ers could move OL Ben Garland to guard once C Weston Richburg (knee) returns. 
• 49ers CB Richard Sherman said he’s still a little ways off from returning despite being eligible to come off IR this week: “They’re concerned with the long-term, making sure I’m able to play the whole season.” (Eric Branch)
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan says the hope is to get Sherman back in Week 6 against the Rams. (Nick Wagoner)
• He added he’s made a decision on who will start between Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard if QB Jimmy Garoppolo can’t play this week against the Dolphins but he’s keeping it secret for now. (Wagoner)

Seahawks

• Per Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk, Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said they thought adding a veteran like DT Damon Harrison was a great opportunity: “He’s been a real force in the league and he’s got a real special style and he’s so big and so strong and stout in the middle.”
• Carroll added: “This opportunity to get him now and to get him on the practice squad is to give him some chance to work and get ready and learn what we’re doing and see where he can fit in as soon as possible.” (Crabtree)
• Carroll told reporters S Jamal Adams would miss this week’s game against the Vikings with his groin injury. (John Boyle)
• Seahawks CB Neiko Thorpe was placed on injured reserve because of a sports hernia. (Boyle)
• Carroll noted first-round LB Jordyn Brooks likely won’t play this week either: “It will be hard for him to get back this week.” (Boyle)
• Carroll mentioned “there’s a really good chance” the Seahawks will get DL Rasheem Green back from IR after the bye. (Boyle)
• The same is true for WR Phillip Dorsett. (Boyle)