SANTA CLARA, Calif. — With a chance to record a season sweep of the NFC East this week, no doubt San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh will caution his team to take the last-place Washington Redskins seriously.

Truth be told: It could prove much more entertaining to watch the club’s carousel of linebackers this week than anything the 49ers do to prepare for Robert Griffin III.

What makes the 49ers’ current situation at linebacker so interesting is its variety.

–You have one star (Patrick Willis) out for the season, and his replacement (Chris Borland) tackling at a record-setting pace.

–You have said standout replacement (Borland) potentially about to lose his starting spot because one of the league’s best (NaVorro Bowman) is closing in on making his season debut.

–You have another All-Pro (Aldon Smith) rounding into form.

–You have a rookie (Aaron Lynch) on the other side at times appearing to be a mirror image of the aforementioned All-Pro.

–And you have the steadiest performer (Ahmad Brooks) so upset about his playing time, nobody’s quite sure what he might do next.

Oh, yeah. A showdown with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks is right around the corner on Thanksgiving night, by which time Harbaugh would like to have all his linebackers healthy, happy and hungry to carve up Russell Wilson.

Asked how he would fit six potential starters into four spots against the Redskins, Harbaugh insisted Wednesday it wasn’t his problem.

“Vic Fangio, the defensive coordinator, and the defensive staff will determine play time and rotation,” he said.

The biggest question mark is Bowman. Attempting to bounce back from major knee surgery in the offseason, he was not able to practice Wednesday even though he had been cleared to do so earlier in the week.

“Today he’s doing his rehab on the field and in the training room and weight room,” noted Harbaugh.

Asked when he expected Bowman back at practice with the team, Harbaugh blurted, “Probably not this week.”

SERIES HISTORY: 27th regular-season meeting. 49ers lead series, 16-9-1. The 49ers have prevailed in their last three meetings with the Redskins, including 27-6 at Washington last November in a Monday night game. The 49ers sacked Robert Griffin III six times in the blowout, and held the Redskins to a total of 190 yards of offense. The last head-to-head out west was a lot closer, with the 49ers winning 27-24 in the regular-season finale in 2008 on a Joe Nedney field goal at the final gun.

MEDICAL WATCH

–WR Bruce Ellington did not practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury suffered in the Week 10 win in New Orleans. He worked out on a side field, opening the door for a possible return to practice later in the week.

–OT Anthony Davis suffered a concussion in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants and has begun the league’s protocol in hopes of being able to play this week against the Washington Redskins. Jonathan Martin likely would get the start if Davis doesn’t get clearance in time.

–NT Glenn Dorsey was limited in practice Wednesday as he attempts to demonstrate to 49ers coaches that he’s ready to make his season debut this week against Washington. Dorsey had biceps surgery during the preseason. The 49ers started third-stringer Quinton Dial with both Dorsey and Ian Williams injured in their win over the New York Giants last weekend.

–ILB NaVorro Bowman was not able to get on the field with his teammates Wednesday, thus denying him what had been expected to be his first full practice of the season. Bowman underwent major knee surgery shortly after the end of the 2013 season. Even though Bowman worked out with the 49ers’ training staff on a side field Wednesday, coach Jim Harbaugh said he doesn’t expect his All-Pro to join team drills this week.

–OLB Dan Skuta returned to practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. Skuta has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Skuta had been the 49ers’ starting right outside linebacker while Aldon Smith began the season on suspension.

–CB Tramaine Brock did not practice Wednesday as he continues to attempt to rehab a toe injury. Brock has played in just one game since suffering the injury in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears. The 49ers would like to have Brock back on the practice field this week so he might be able to return for the Thanksgiving night showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.

GAME PLAN: The 49ers got their running game going in a 16-10 win over the New York Giants last week. Now might be a good time to fine-tune their passing attack. The Redskins have been vulnerable to the pass all season, having allowed 20 passing touchdowns (tied for fourth-most in the league) while only recording three interceptions (tied for the fewest).

It would behoove the 49ers to dust off one of their best weapons — tight end Vernon Davis — against this opponent, which already has surrendered seven touchdowns to tight ends this season. Davis has not caught more than two passes in a game since Week 6.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

–49ers OLB Aldon Smith vs. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III. Smith was deemed effective last week against the New York Giants despite not recording a single sack or tackle. Griffin would appear to be a good candidate to be Smith’s first sack victim of 2014. Redskins quarterbacks have been sacked 28 times this season, the ninth-most in the league.

–49ers TE Vernon Davis vs. Redskins linebackers/safeties. Washington has struggled defending tight ends this season, having allowed seven touchdowns in 10 games. This week they face a guy who is in a big-time slump, but also has the talent to have a big-time breakout. Davis had four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown when the 49ers beat the Redskins last season. But he hasn’t sniffed the end zone since the opener this year and hasn’t recorded more than two catches in a game since Week 6.

–Redskins WR DeSean Jackson vs. 49ers secondary. A former standout at the University of California across the bridge from San Francisco, Jackson has enjoyed picking on the 49ers in his NFL career. The speedy wideout burned the 49ers for six catches and 171 yards as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2011 matchup. The 49ers intercepted New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning five times last week. But when they weren’t catching Manning’s passes, his wideouts — Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Jr. — were. They combined for 13 catches for 205 yards in the game.