NFC West Notes: 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

• Per the Athletic’s Matt Barrows, 49ers CB Richard Sherman sprained his knee during Sunday’s game, but HC Kyle Shanahan wouldn’t rule him out for next week: “He’s a guy I would never rule out. A normal person I’d probably rule out by the eye test.”
• Barrows believes there’s hope for WR Dante Pettis to emerge from Shanahan’s doghouse, as the coach’s repeated criticism shows he’s still invested in the young receiver. 
• The Athletic’s Jay Glazer believes a strong interview will get 49ers DC Robert Saleh a head coaching job this offseason. 
• 49ers waived K Chase McLaughlin. (NFLTR)
• 49ers signed WR Chris Thompson to their practice squad.
• 49ers released G Will Holden from their practice squad.

Cardinals

• The Cardinals worked out Drew Anderson, Saeed Blacknall, Lyndon Johnson, and DaMarkus Lodge on Tuesday. (Aaron Wilson)
• Cardinals waived LB Pete Robertson.

Rams

• According to the Athletic’s Rich Hammond, the Rams can’t cut RB Todd Gurley without causing an almost $35 million dead cap charge. That number drops to only $25 million after next season, meaning the Rams don’t have an out from Gurley’s contract until 2022. 
• Hammond says Rams S John Johnson won’t return from injured reserve this year and is focused on being ready for the offseason program. 

Seahawks

While Seahawks RB Chris Carson has had an iron-strong hold on the starting job for most of the season, RB Rashaad Penny has come on strong in recent weeks. After carrying the ball 14 times for 129 yards and a touchdown last week, Penny had 15 carries for another 74 yards and a touchdown while also catching four passes for 33 yards and a score on Monday night.

Carson has been playing well, too, with 23 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said he’s happy to continue splitting the load between the two. 

“You guys keep asking me, but there’s no plan on this one,” Carroll said via Pro Football Talk. “They’re just playing. And when we see how the game goes, we might give a guy a few more here or a few more there. We don’t know, because they’re both really good. We love them and we just play them. Chris is the starter, so he winds up getting some more carries, but they’re playing as 1-2, and I don’t know who is One and I don’t know who is Two. They’re doing great.”

• Carroll said Seahawks DE Ezekiel Ansah suffered a shoulder stinger that’s related to the injury he’s been battling to recover from since last year. (Bob Condotta)