San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan went nuclear recently on the team’s injury crisis. He provided all-important information on the availability of key players as they prepare for their Week 5 clash. Things only get more difficult for the 49ers from here on out. They’ve been hit pretty bad by the injury bug, further complicating their ability to play at top form.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has been absent these last two contests with a knee and ankle issues. During his Tuesday media appearance, Shanahan announced that Pearsall will be a limited participant in the team’s Tuesday walk-through. That probably means he’ll likely be back in action in short order.
“He’s making progress, and we’re opening his window, so he can do some stuff like that,” Shanahan noted regarding Pearsall’s condition.
Since then, the 49ers have monitored left tackle Trent Williams as best they can. He’s missed the first half of this season with a hamstring injury. Similar to Pearsall, Williams is projected to be a walk-through limited participant at best. His leadership on and off the offensive line is imperative. Improved and sustained participation from him would signal a big step in the right direction.
Tuesday’s session will feature defensive lineman Keion White. First, he’s currently fighting through injuries to both his groin and hamstring. Shanahan sounded maybe a hair more optimistic on White’s prospects to make an impact going forward.
Yetur Gross-Matos, another 49ers defensive lineman, is still recovering from a knee injury. He, too, is expected to be a limited participant in today’s initial walk-through. This united front from injured players overdoing any hard feelings shows the team’s eagerness to have everyone back at full strength.
Shanahan said it’s not just about trusting players to self-assess, but following medical rules. He stated, “I’m like Fred; if he feels good and tells me he’s good, I’m probably going to think he’s good and trust him to get out there. You can’t always think with your heart and emotionally, so you ask doctors where he’s at — all the things that these guys have to pass, just protocols that we have in, just sprinting and jumping and things like that.”
As they head into a home stretch that includes three games against potential playoff teams, the 49ers need to marry their urgency with prudence. With their roster facing multiple injury concerns, Shanahan’s management of player health will be pivotal in their pursuit of success.
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