SANTA CLARA — The 49ers expect defensive end Bryce Huff, the team leader in sacks, to return to action Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

But the 49ers continue to battle injuries on defense, with five other players listed as questionable.

Rookie defensive linemen Alfred Collins (hip), Keion White (groin) and Kalia Davis (ankle), and linebackers Dee Winters (knee) and Tatum Bethune (thigh) are listed as questionable, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said on Friday.

Shanahan said each of those players has a chance to be active and play against the Rams.

Huff, and offensive linemen Jake Brendel and Ben Bartch are cleared to play, Shanahan said.

The 49ers are expected to place rookie defensive end Mykel Williams on injured reserve on Saturday. Williams, the team’s first-round draft pick, sustained a torn ACL in his right knee in the 49ers’ Week 9 game against the New York Giants.

Offensively, quarterback Mac Jones will start Sunday’s game against the Rams, Shanahan said. Jones will start his sixth game in a row — and his eighth this season — as Brock Purdy continues to be sidelined with a sprain to his right big toe. The 49ers list Purdy as questionable for the game. Purdy took part in limited practice this week, including sharing the 49ers’ scout-team practice snaps with third-string quarterback Adrian Martinez.

Shanahan said he was not sure whether Purdy would serve as the backup or be inactive.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall remains out of action due to a right knee injury. Pearsall will miss his sixth game of the season.

Huff’s return could give the 49ers’ pass rush a boost. He leads the 49ers with four sacks on the season. The 49ers registered only 11 sacks in the first nine games of the season. Huff missed the past two games with a hamstring injury.

Brendel missed the past two games with a hamstring injury. Backup Matt Hennessy started at center the past two games.

Full status report for the 49ers’ game Sunday against the Rams:

Out

WR Ricky Pearsall (knee)

DL Mykel Williams (knee)

Questionable

QB Brock Purdy (toe)

DT Alfred Collins (hip)

LB Dee Winters (knee)

LB Tatum Bethune (thigh)

DE Keion White (groin)

DL Kalia Davis (ankle)

OL Ben Bartch (ankle)

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast