San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dee Ford is expected to be active for today's Divisional Round playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
The expectation for the #49ers is that edge rusher Dee Ford is going to be active for today's game vs. #Vikings.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 11, 2020
Ford was inactive for the 49ers' final three games of the regular season and was listed as "questionable" on Thursday's injury report. He practiced all week but was limited.
Ford suffered a hamstring injury during San Francisco's Week 11 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. He has since played just four snaps. Ford attempted to return during the team's Week 14 game against the New Orleans Saints but re-aggravated the injury.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Thursday that the team is being more cautious with Ford in his most recent comeback attempt.
"He thought he could go (against the Saints)," Shanahan said, "and the way Dee Ford comes off the ball, it was the fourth play of the game, he came off hard and tweaks his hamstring again. Now we can look back, and Dee can learn from that."
Ford recorded 14 tackles, 6.5 sacks, a pass defensed, and two forced fumbles in the 49ers' first 11 games of the season.
"We're trying to be smarter about it ... and I think Dee is also," Shanahan added. "It's tough for athletes in these situations. They want to play no matter what."
On March 12, 2019, San Francisco sent this year's second-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Ford, and then signed the defender to a five-year deal worth over $85 million.