"No injuries to report," San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after his team's 31-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. "It's awkward, but I don't have any. It's awesome."
"Awkward" might not be the best word to describe the sensation. "A relief" might have been better.
Shanahan is used to reading off the names of several players who suffered in-game injuries. Instead, the coach was all smiles on Sunday. Not only had his 49ers knocked off a division rival, but the team had no significant setbacks in the health department.
Shanahan will provide an injury update this afternoon. Sometimes, other injuries reveal themselves the day after a game. The good news is that there was nothing significant to report on Sunday.
San Francisco has been among the most injured teams in the league this season. However, they could be getting healthy at the right time, ready to make a second-half run similar to last season. And, like last season, it may begin with a dominant win over the Rams.
The 49ers enter their much-needed bye week and expect to emerge with some reinforcements. The team entered Week 8 with four starters ruled out—wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger), defensive lineman Arik Armstead (foot, ankle), and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf). San Francisco still managed to win its eighth regular-season matchup against the Rams.
Samuel and Juszczyk are expected to return in time for the 49ers' next game, a Week 10 home matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Armstead and Greenlaw are possibilities too.
Running back Elijah Mitchell, who suffered an MCL sprain during Week 1 and has not played since, is also expected to make his return against the Chargers. He'll rejoin a talented backfield that now includes running back Christian McCaffrey.
The 49ers activated Cornerback Jason Verrett off the physically unable to perform list last week. He was inactive against the Rams but could be given the green light after the bye week. While Verrett suffered minor setbacks in his return, Shanahan noted that last week was the cornerback's best week of practice since the team opened his practice window on October 5.
The earliest defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw can return is on November 21 against the Arizona Cardinals. Whether he hits that mark or not, the 49ers are confident that Kinlaw will contribute this season as the team continues its playoff push. On October 15, San Francisco placed Kinlaw on injured reserve, forcing him to miss at least four games. The defensive lineman is dealing with issues in his surgically reconstructed knee.
"And we're hopeful that when his time off IR, coming off the bye—I think we have slated a couple of games after the bye for Javon to come off—and we're hopeful that he can finish the season strong," general manager John Lynch said last week. "He's a big part of what we do. He's had a rough go, but we're putting in everything we can.
"And I can tell you this: Javon is working his tail off. No one's working harder than Javon. He wants to be out there, and we're a better team when he is."
Another impact player slated to return in the second half is Azeez Al-Shaair, who suffered an MCL sprain during Week 3. Last week, a reporter asked Shanahan if the linebacker might return after the bye week.
"I don't think right after the bye," Shanahan responded. "I think he's got a couple of more weeks on that. Him and Elijah kind of had the same injury. I just think Elijah's a couple of weeks ahead of him."
