San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters on Monday, the day after the team's 24-20 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He provided some injury updates during the Zoom call.
Fans are probably eagerly awaiting an update on George Kittle, and Shanahan provided one.
The All-Pro tight end suffered a knee sprain during the first half against the Cardinals. He left for the locker room just before halftime to be examined. Kittle returned with his teammates in the second half and played for the remainder of the game.
"He has a knee sprain. We'll see how he comes in on Wednesday," Shanahan told reporters. "He was a little sore today, but we'll wait to see how he is on Wednesday to see if he's able to practice or be able to go this week. We know there will be some question."
An optimistic Kittle provided his own update to Mike Silver of NFL Network.
"Good to go," Kittle texted Silver. "On to New York!"
Obviously, the 49ers will be more cautious.
Shanahan provided an update on second-year wide receiver Deebo Samuel, whom the 49ers placed on short-term injured reserve on Saturday. That means missing at least the next two games after missing Sunday's opener.
Shanahan was asked if Samuel had a setback last week. After all, the coach had been optimistic that the receiver would be available for Sunday's game.
"Yeah, we didn't think it was a setback because he was just real sore after running one day," Shanahan said. "But the soreness never got better. It just got worse and worse after one specific day.
"Usually, after one day, when it was sore, we thought it was just because he worked it hard. But when that got worse each day and not better, we knew it ended up being a little bit of a setback. That's why we ended up putting him on IR."
Shanahan added that the plan is still to have Samuel back for the team's October 4 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Shanahan also provided updates on two other receivers — Richie James and rookie Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk was inactive on Sunday after trying to return from a hamstring injury suffered during training camp. James suffered a hamstring injury against the Cardinals and did not return to the game.
"We've got to see how he feels Wednesday, but I'm definitely concerned (about the wide receiver numbers)," Shanahan said. "I'm still hoping to get possibly Aiyuk back this week. I'd be surprised if we don't, which helps. But Richie, I don't know yet. That would be a fluid situation all week, just like it was last week."
