During a conference call late on Tuesday afternoon, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Kyle Shanahan, gave an update on injuries.
A calf issue will prevent Christian McCaffrey from practicing this week. Shanahan stated that McCaffrey would resume practicing the next week.
George Kittle and Arik Armstead, the team captains, will be back in training this week. With regard to his back spasms, Kittle is “much better.” Armstead appears “well.”
We were never informed of the nature of Armstead’s injury. It’s always been referred to by Shanahan as a foot or a knee. When questioned about whether Arik had plantar fasciitis, Kyle remained reticent to make a diagnosis:
“All I know is that it’s his knee and foot. I’m not sure how to say the word you just stated. He is improving. He performed well on the test today, so we’re going to start practicing with him on Thursday. If all goes well, we’ll get him in for a little while on Friday.
Armstead was able to secure an extra week off after securing the top seed one week ahead of schedule. If the game had meant something, Shanahan stated he may have participated in Week 18. Regarding whether there was a worry that Armstead’s injury would persist into the postseason, this is Kyle’s response:
Yes, without fail. We’ve been making an effort to give him as much rest as we can because of this. If we had required that, he would have left last week. He didn’t have to go last week, which is why we were so happy that we were able to obtain that. Just give him another week; he’s already doing better now than he was a week ago. With any luck, the extra week will allow him to gradually acclimate to this and improve even more in the coming week.
With Dre Greenlaw sidelined until Week 18 due to Achilles inflammation, the team will “be smart.”
Since the start of Week 16, wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been under the concussion protocol. According to Shanahan, Jennings and Ambry Thomas, the starting cornerback, are formally cleared to resume practice. Due to hand surgery, Thomas was sidelined for Week 18.
Due to a knee injury sustained in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams, edge rusher Clelin Ferrell will be sidelined for a few weeks. “It’s possible to get him back sometime in the playoffs,” Shanahan stated. Ferrell would miss at least one game, Shanahan later confirmed.
When asked about Drake Jackson’s condition and whether he was nearing his return from the injured reserve, Shanahan stated that Jackson wasn’t prepared: “I don’t believe he’s well enough to go off just yet. At this point, I don’t believe that’s a possibility.
Activating security measures This week, Tashaun Gipson and Ji’Ayir Brown will resume their practices. Gipson missed last week’s game due to a quad strain, while Brown missed the final two games of the regular season due to a knee ailment.
In addition, George Odum, who sustained a torn biceps against the Seahawks in Week 12, will resume practice with the Niners. Despite missing the last six games of the season, Odum tied for seventh place in the NFL in special teams tackles.
It’s critical to understand that Odum’s return is not a certain even if the 49ers extend his contract. On November 24, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported an injury that would last 2-4 months. Not quite two months would pass before the 49ers played their first game.
Among the conference’s most influential players on special teams is Odum. Returning him to the field would be a huge benefit.
The last piece of safeties-related news is that Tayler Hawkins, who made his debut in Brown’s place, will soon have surgery for a wrist issue.
Due to a back ailment, offensive lineman Jon Feliciano is questionable.
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