The good news for the San Francisco 49ers is that it appears they escaped an injury-riddled exhibition opener without any long-term issues. Head coach Kyle Shanahan jumped on a conference call with the media on Friday and provided the following updates on the six players who left Thursday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys. He expects each of the players to be available for the regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
"We're hoping they'll all be available Week 1 to start the season," Shanahan said.
LB Malcolm Smith suffered a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play against the Houston Texans on August 18. He is week-to-week.
"I think [Smith will] have a chance after this week," Shanahan said.
TE George Kittle and RB Matt Breida suffered separated shoulders but should be ready for the Week 1 game against the Vikings.
DE Solomon Thomas and T Garry Gilliam are in the concussion protocol.
"We'll see how that plays out here over the next few days," Shanahan said.
LB Eli Harold is day-to-day. He left Thursday's game with a knee contusion.
Shanahan also provided updates on the players who were injured entering the 49ers' first preseason game.
DE Arik Armstead will not practice during the week leading up to the 49ers' game against the Texans.
DE Jeremiah Attaochu is day-to-day. "I would be surprised if we didn't (have him back at practice sometime this week)," Shanahan said.
G Jonathan Cooper started practicing this past week, and he will see his reps increase during the coming week.
LB Brock Coyle will also start to see his reps increase in practice. "He's continuing to get rehab," Shanahan said. "I think we should start to ease him in this Sunday in practice."
G JP Flynn and G Joshua Garnett could also return to practice on Sunday. Both will be eased in with the hope to have them participating in full practices by the 49ers' game in Houston. Shanahan said Garnett took some anti-inflammatory medicine to get the swelling in his knee down.
"Just hearing what he has told guys, that he feels better now than he did a week ago," Shanahan said. "I'm hoping that continues into Sunday and he feels good enough that he can give it a go. Hopefully, once he does that he can put together a few strings of practices together where hopefully he can recover and his knee can handle it."
DB Marcell Harris has been practicing but was held out against the Cowboys to let him continue to get healthy. "We'll up his reps this week," Shanahan said.
Shanahan was not sure about WR Max McCaffrey. "He's day-to-day," Shanahan said. "The players have [Saturday] off, and then we'll see him on Sunday, whether he'll be able to practice or not."
WR Trent Taylor is being eased back in. "He got some reps last week," Shanahan said. "He'll get some more this week, so he falls in the same boat as Cooper and all those guys."
LB Fred Warner is still day-to-day. "We're letting his chest heal so we'll see how he looks on Sunday, whether he can be in pads or not," Shanahan said.
The same thing for TE Cole Wick. He is close to practicing.
Shanahan does not expect to have CB K'Waun Williams back practicing this week, which means he will be unlikely to play against the Texans.
As for CB Richard Sherman...
"I have a feeling he's going to try to go but I'd be very surprised if he played this week," Shanahan said. "We plan on holding him out."
