Starting next week, there will be many eyes on practice reports searching for information on several San Francisco 49ers players' statuses. Head coach Kyle Shanahan sounds optimistic that reinforcements for his injury-ravaged roster are on the way.
Cornerback Richard Sherman (calf), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), and running backs Raheem Mostert (ankle) and Tevin Coleman (knee) all have a good chance of returning to the lineup after the bye week, in time for the team's Week 12 road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Shanahan also hopes it will be in time, and enough of a boost, for his 49ers to go on a bit of a run through the final six regular-season games. Despite the 4-6 record and sitting in last place within the NFC West standings, San Francisco isn't out of the playoff picture.
The coach also hopes to get others — like quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and maybe even tight end George Kittle — back down the stretch. That is, assuming the team is playing for anything at that point.
As for Sherman, Mostert, and the others, Shanahan was asked on Wednesday if he remains hopeful of getting them all back in time for the Rams game.
"Yes, I am. I know we've got a chance at all of them," Shanahan responded on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "They're not all for sure, but it's going in the right direction. It will be a big week of rehab for them. As long as we don't have any setbacks, and they keep going like they are, it's looking pretty good right now."
However, the coach doesn't want his team to think that getting those players back will result in an instant turnaround.
"It would help a lot, that's for sure," Shanahan continued. "I keep trying to tell the guys, though, too, getting those guys back is going to help. It's going to be a boost, but we can't put everything on those guys. They haven't played in a while."
Despite the mounting losses, Shanahan feels the 49ers are improving on the field. Take the first quarter of Sunday's game, for instance. San Francisco dominated New Orleans early in their matchup. Mistakes down the stretch, however, sealed the team's fate.
"I feel like our guys had a better game [against the Saints] in all three phases," Shanahan said. "I just felt like we're improving. We've just got to take care of the ball better. Regardless of whoever is out there, if we turn the ball over four times, it's going to be tough to win.
"But getting those guys back, if we can protect the ball better, I feel really good going down here into this stretch with these guys."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.