San Francisco 49ers fans received a bit of a scare when reports circulated that starting right guard Mike Person was seen after Friday's joint practice with the Denver Broncos getting around on crutches and wearing an orthopedic boot over his left foot.
The situation seemed less dire when Matt Barrows of The Athletic, who initially noticed Person's condition, later reported that the injury might not have been as serious as it first appeared.
That was confirmed by general manager John Lynch on Saturday morning, who said Person suffered a foot strain and is day-to-day.
Mike Person has walking boot on his left foot today, is not practicing. John Lynch said he has a foot strain, is day to day.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 17, 2019
Person started a career-high 16 games for the 49ers last season after joining the team on May 9, 2018. It was the start of his second stint with San Francisco, which made Person a seventh-round draft pick out of Montana State in 2011. He spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and two stints with the Indianapolis Colts before re-joining the 49ers.
The 49ers signed Person, who was scheduled to become a free agent, to a three-year deal on March 3, 2019.
Lynch provided an update on another injured guard, Joshua Garnett. The plan for the offensive lineman is to ease him back into practice next week but with a cast over his hand to protect his injured finger.
Lynch said the plan is to ease Josh Garnett back into practice next week but with a cast on his hand that protects his still-mending finger. https://t.co/etDcVsiZvr
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 17, 2019
Lynch said Dee Ford will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. The status of the team's other pass rusher, rookie Nick Bosa, is yet to be determined.
Lynch said the team remains cautiously optimistic about the return of running back Jerick McKinnon, which mirrors what the general manager said on Friday and can be read about here.