49ers Rams pregame: How many will start 17th of 17 games?

SANTA CLARA — Barring any surprise shutdowns today, only eight 49ers are expected to make their 17th start in 17 games this season. Quarterback Brock Purdy and running back Christian McCaffrey could have joined that crew but they’ll be sidelined and safely stashed for the playoff opener in two weeks.

Others who’ve started the past 16: tight end George Kittle; center Jake Brendel; right tackle Colton McKivitz; defensive ends Nick Bosa and Clelin Ferrell; linebacker Fred Warner; cornerbacks Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir; and, safety Tashaun Gipson Sr., the latter of whom will be inactive because of a quadriceps injury.

Also inactive are defensive tackle Arik Armstead, safety Ji’Ayir Brown, cornerback Ambry Thomas and wide receiver Jauan Jennings, the latter of whom got downgraded Saturday and has yet to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol after three weeks. Purdy, having already set the 49ers’ single season record with 4,280 passing yards, is expected to suit up as the emergency No.

3 quarterback behind starter Sam Darnold and backup Brandon Allen. The Los Angeles Rams, who could fall from the No. 6 seed to the No. 7 with a loss, will sit quarterback Matthew Stafford and start Carson Wentz. Dresser Winn got promoted from the practice squad Saturday to serve as the No. 2 quarterback.

Now back to the 49ers’ playing time ironmen … Having missed just one start thus far are wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and fullback Kyle Juszczyk. McKivitz has played 99 percent of the offensive snaps (995), Brendel 97.4%, Purdy 93.1%, Kittle 89.1% and McCaffrey 80.8%.

Gipson leads the defensive snap counts (976; 95.2%), followed by Fred Warner (970; 94.5%), Lenoir (958; 93.5%), Ward (908; 88.6%) and, Greenlaw (848; 82.7%). Bosa has played the most among defensive linemen (813 snaps; 79.3%). Arik Armstead, despite missing the past four games, has played 49.7% of the defensive snaps this season, which is more than Ferrell (45.4%), Javon Kinlaw (42.8%), Kevin Givens (34.5%), Chase Young (26.4%) and Randy Gregory (22.5%).

The 49ers’ opponents are almost all set for next season, depending on the outcome of two to four games Sunday. Beyond the home and away series with their three NFC West rivals – Arizona, Seattle and the Rams — here is how the schedule looks: At home, the 49ers also will play the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chicago Bears, the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots, the New York Jets, and the NFC East champion, which will be either the Dallas Cowboys (if they win in Washington) or the Philadelphia Eagles (if they win at the New York Giants, coupled with a Cowboys loss).

The 49ers will visit the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings, the Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills, and the NFC South winner, which will be either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (if they win Sunday at Carolina), the New Orleans Saints (if they win at home against Atlanta, coupled with a Bucs loss), or the Atlanta Falcons (if they win at New Orleans, coupled with a Bucs loss).

For a second straight season, a former 49ers assistant is going to the playoffs as a first time head coach. Last year, it was Mike McDaniel with the Miami Dolphins, who were a No. 7 seed and promptly ousted by the Buffalo Bills. Saturday night, DeMeco Ryans’ Houston Texans clinched at least a wild card berth, and they could win the AFC South if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose their regular season finale..