Head coach Kyle Shanahan joked that the San Francisco 49ers took a page (or scene) out of The Karate Kid in making sure Richard Sherman was able to get back on the practice field this week. The veteran cornerback suffered a knee sprain late in Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens but endured the pain enough to get back into the game.
"Did some Mr. Miyagi stuff on him," Shanahan said on Wednesday. "We'll see, though. Sherm always battles. You expect him to be out there, and hopefully, he'll get better each day. I know he's not there all the way yet, but he's got a few more days to do it, and hopefully, he'll be good on Sunday."
Sherman was asked on Thursday about his health and Shanahan's comments.
"Yeah, we hired [Mr. Miyagi] the other day," Sherman joked with reporters. "Kyle and them have some connections that people don't know about. That's how you get your guys back, and I was able to use him, and feeling decent."
All joking aside, reporters wanted to know how Sherman is feeling this week with the tough challenge of defending against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints offense on the horizon.
"I'm feeling pretty good," Sherman responded. "The longer you play in this game, you know what you can play through. You know how different injuries will affect you throughout the week, and I knew what I was dealing with when it happened. I just needed a couple of days to figure it out and get it together, and I was able to do it."
Sherman practiced on Wednesday and Thursday but was limited on each day. He joked that he might have to work in a mandatory veteran day off from practice in his next contract.
"I've got to see the looks (in practice)," Sherman added. "You're playing Drew; you can't just take vet days with Drew coming."
Sherman went on to praise Brees, saying the Saints quarterback is incredibly accurate, poised, and always a challenge to defend. The two teams will kick off on Sunday from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
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