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The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Divisional Round playoff contest against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan expects veteran pass rusher Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring) to be available on Saturday against the Vikings. The defender returned to practice on Tuesday but was limited and remained in a blue no-contact jersey.
Linebacker Kwon Alexander continues to be limited as he works his way back from a torn pectoral muscle suffered on October 31, 2019. The 49ers opened the practice window for Alexander last week, and there is a "good chance" he will be activated off injured reserve before the weekend.
Alexander has been
medically cleared to return. Now, it's just up to Shanahan and the coaching staff to make the call. How the linebacker looks this week during practice will determine whether or not he returns on Saturday.
Because Alexander is still officially on injured reserve, he is not listed on the team-issued injury report below. He was limited during Tuesday's practice, though.
Ford and Alexander might not be the only defensive reinforcements the 49ers get back for the playoffs. Safety Jaquiski Tartt was inactive for San Francisco's final four games of the regular season due to a rib injury but was a full participant during Tuesday's practice.
"He's full go," Shanahan said.
Guard Mike Person, who is dealing with a neck injury, and defensive lineman Kentavius Street (knee) were also limited.
Below are Tuesday's practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Vikings, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff.
San Francisco 49ers Tuesday Practice
Limited Participation in Practice
DE Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring), G Mike Person (neck), DE Kentavius Street (knee)
Minnesota Vikings Tuesday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
CB Mackensie Alexander (knee), WR Stefon Diggs (illness), DT Linval Joseph (knee), S Jayron Kearse (toe, knee)
Full Participation in Practice
TE Tyler Conklin (knee), RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), G Josh Kline (elbow), DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring), CB Xavier Rhodes (ankle, shoulder), DT Shamar Stephen (knee), DE Stephen Weatherly (foot)
On Wednesday, Chat Sports contributor Chase Senior reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers were "aggressively pursuing" San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. He further stated that the Steelers are confident they can finalize a deal for the star player.
REPORTS: The Pittsburgh Steelers are aggressively pursuing a Brandon Aiyuk trade and the Steelers would be "surprised" if they don't land Aiyuk. Of note: Pittsburgh has the 20th overall pick. The Niners could look at that as equal value for Aiyuk if they can't get a deal done.…
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
Ian Rapoport didn't offer much of an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the San Francisco 49ers and their standout wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk. However, the NFL insider emphasized one thing: The team is not entertaining trade discussions at this juncture.
Reacting to Aiyuk's decision to unfollow the 49ers on Instagram, Rapoport couldn't help but chuckle at the latest development. This practice has become commonplace among players who are unhappy with their contract situations. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel similarly took this action in 2022 before requesting to be traded just before the draft.
Things have yet to escalate that far with Aiyuk, but Rapoport sees his
