The San Francisco 49ers roster has been devastated by injuries this season. Week 2, in particular, was unkind to the defending NFC Champions. The team lost two defensive linemen for the season, starting quarterback, running back, and more.
That's why Wednesday's practice felt so great for fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Several returning players took part in the session as the team prepares to host the Miami Dolphins this weekend at Levi's Stadium.
"I can't tell you how nice it was today to have [Jimmy Garoppolo and Raheem Mostert], especially, in the huddle with us," Juszczyk told Damon Bruce, Ray Ratto, and Matt Kolsky on 95.7 The Game on Wednesday. "Shoot, I got in the huddle today, I had George (Kittle) on my right, I had Deebo (Samuel) on my left, Jimmy and Raheem across from me, and that's good feeling. I haven't had that in a while.
"We feel like we're finally starting to get our guys back together, and this offense can really start to take off again."
It's unknown if Garoppolo will play on Sunday. If he doesn't, head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't offering up any hints on whether it will be Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard leading the offense against the Dolphins.
On Wednesday, the coach was asked if he decided who would start in Garoppolo's absence, should the quarterback miss his third consecutive game.
"Yes, I have," Shanahan responded, "but I'm going to hold that just because there is a difference between [Mullens and Beathard], and if Jimmy can't go, I'd like Miami to find that out on Sunday. I've decided that.
"We'll get both of them reps because both of them do have to be ready in case Jimmy doesn't go, but if not, you guys will find that answer on which one's not dressed (on game day)."
Juszczyk was also asked about rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has already earned one Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award this season and hauled in nine passes for 109 yards and carried the football four times for 69 yards and two scores.
"I've been extremely impressed with Brandon," Juszczyk said. "It's been cool for me because I've had a little closer look at Brandon and just kind of his development because him and I, we suffered hamstring injuries basically on the same day during training camp. So, we had a good two weeks together where we were on the exact same recovery protocol, and we were spending almost every minute together in the facility.
"I really got to get to know Brandon, and learn what kind of person, what kind of players he is. I liked him from the first rehab session we had together. This guy works his absolute tail off, he's extremely humble, and I don't know if any of us realized just how talented he was until we saw him step on the game field and just see what he does.
"He's a different guy on game day. He is absolutely locked in and has a chip on his shoulder. He wants to go out there and show everybody what he can do. We've been able to see a little bit of that lately. I think he's just going to continue to impress people."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Juszczyk below.
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