Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after the San Francisco 49ers secured a much-needed victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field, offering injury updates from the game.
Running back Jordan Mason left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. He went to the locker room for X-rays, returned briefly in the third quarter, but soon exited again and remained on the sideline.
"Just in case of an emergency, stayed available," Shanahan said. "... He thought he was gonna be alright. He went back in and it just hurt him too much, so he went out, I think that was the first play, and then he was out (on the sideline) just in case of an emergency."
The 49ers will have more details on the severity of Mason's injury after further tests on Friday.
Safety Malik Mustapha started in place of Talanoa Hufanga, who was placed on injured reserve with a wrist injury. Mustapha exited the game in the second quarter and did not return. Shanahan mentioned that the team believes Mustapha sustained a low-ankle sprain, which is less severe than a high-ankle sprain.
We gonna be good 😎 #FTTB ‼️
— Malik Mustapha 🇳🇬 (@_malikmustapha) October 11, 2024
After the game, Mustapha discussed his first career interception with reporters.
Malik Mustapha knows exactly what he's doing with his first INT ball 🏈 pic.twitter.com/cQcaK36C3i
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) October 11, 2024
A 49ers kicker was injured attempting a tackle on a kickoff return for the second consecutive week. Last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Jake Moody suffered a high-ankle sprain. On Thursday, his replacement, Matthew Wright, sustained a shoulder injury.
Shanahan admitted that he probably won't challenge kickers to make tackles anymore.
"I don't know how I feel about that anymore," Shanahan said. "When they break through, and they're the only line left, I would never be the coach that says, 'Just let them score.' But dang, that's two weeks in a row. ... I just hope he's alright."
Tight end George Kittle appeared to be injured during the fourth quarter, briefly heading to the locker room before returning to the game. When asked about the trip, Kittle was lighthearted and evasive in his response.
"I had to go to the bathroom," he joked.
When asked if he was being truthful, Kittle replied, "I don't know. Maybe. Yeah, who knows?"
Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who suffered a knee bruise against the Cardinals, was listed as questionable. He was among the 49ers' seven inactive players against the Seahawks.
When asked how close Ward was to playing, Shanahan explained, "It was close enough to where it was a game-time decision. He went and worked out (in pre-game), and it was close, but couldn't go."
Additionally, left guard Aaron Banks experienced leg cramps during the game and was replaced by Spencer Burford in the lineup.