The San Francisco 49ers have been without starting cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon since his Week 3 injury and without starting left tackle Joe Staley since his Week 2 injury. Witherspoon suffered a foot sprain and was expected to miss "at least a month." Staley fractured his fibula and was given an estimated recovery time of about six to eight weeks. Although, the 49ers were hoping for something closer to the lower range of that estimate.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters on Monday, and after providing an update on players injured during Sunday's 20-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, he was asked for an update on Witherspoon and Staley.
"[Witherspoon is] going in the right direction," Shanahan said. "I think there's a better chance next week (vs. Carolina), but I do not expect him to have a chance this week."
Shanahan said of Staley: "I'm still hoping for Arizona (Week 9). That's where I'm looking at him for. Maybe a chance for Carolina, but I would consider that very lucky. In my mind, I'm hoping for Arizona."
Shanahan also noted that tight end Garrett Celek (back) could come back in a couple of weeks.
"Hopefully, he'll be fine with all the things he's got to get cleared on," the coach said. "If he is, we'll throw him right into practice, and see if he's ready to go."
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (knee) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) remain on track for November returns.
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