The San Francisco 49ers could be getting a much-needed boost in the kicking game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday that long snapper Kyle Nelson should return to practice this week after completing his 10-game suspension.
"I know we get a roster exemption for a week, but we should have him in here this week and decide what to do for Sunday," Shanahan said.
Nelson was suspended in December of 2018 for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. He had six games remaining in his suspension at the start of this season.
Colin Holba was the 49ers' long snapper at the start of the season. He was briefly replaced by veteran Jon Condo, who appeared in one game and then retired. Garrison Sanborn has been the long snapper since Week 5.
Before his suspension, Nelson, an eight-year veteran, appeared in every game (76 games) with San Francisco since joining the team in 2014. The 49ers signed him to a four-year extension on March 12.