The Ravens have added another running back to the active roster, an indication that starter Justin Forsett may not be ready to play Sunday because of an ankle injury.
Baltimore pulled practice squad running back Terrence Magee up to the 53-man squad, making him eligible to play against the 49ers. To make room for Magee, the Ravens cut cornerback Charles James.
Adding Magee to the roster gives the Ravens some insurance in case Forsett can't play. Head Coach John Harbaugh said Forsett would be a game-time decision.
Forsett went down with the ankle injury last week against the Browns and did not return. He missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but returned as a limited participant Friday. He was officially listed as questionable on the final injury report, and told reporters that his recovery was "still a work in progress."
If Forsett is sidelined, rookie fourth-round pick Buck Allen would get the nod as Baltimore's starting running back. Magee and recent acquisition Raheem Mostert would be the backup ball carriers. All three of those running backs are rookies, with Magee and Mostert both undrafted products.
The backfield is clearly hobbled going into the weekend. In addition to Forsett's injury, the Ravens also placed backup Lorenzo Taliaferro on injured reserve this week because of a foot injury.
With the injuries to Forsett and Taliaferro, Allen has gone from the third-string back to the starter in a matter of weeks.
On the other side of the ball, the decision to cut James doesn't come as a major surprise because he was just called up from the practice squad this week. He could likely end up back on the practice squad, where he's been all year. That move does suggest that cornerback Shareece Wright may be ready to play this week after signing with the Ravens Monday.
The Ravens currently have just four healthy cornerbacks on the active roster because Lardarius Webb is nursing a thigh issue and is questionable to play.
The official gameday inactives list will be released Sunday at 2:55 p.m.
