San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan planned to allow most of his starters to sit out Thursday night's preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. For many, that is good news, as the team is dealing with several injuries.
Shanahan spoke to reporters after Tuesday's practice and shared several injury updates.
Offensive lineman Robert Jones is dealing with a calf injury, while Austen Pleasants is working through a knee injury. Shanahan does not expect either setback to extend into the regular season.
"We expect them back when we're in Australia," Shanahan said.
He added, "Hopefully, we'll get them for our three practices before we go."
Shanahan confirmed that quarterback Kurtis Rourke suffered three broken ribs in the team's first preseason game. He was asked if the rib injury was similar to the one that Jordan James sustained, which forced the running back to miss much of training camp.
"No, it was different," Shanahan explained. "Jordan James' was worse, just where it was. He's close this week, probably won't go tomorrow (during the team's walk-through) or Thursday, but should be good after that."
Shanahan clarified rookie defensive end Romello Height's setback, saying that he is dealing with an ankle injury.
Wide receiver Mike Evans is dealing with a groin injury and did not practice on Tuesday, but Shanahan said the team hopes to have him back at practice next week.
Nick Bosa's status
Defensive end Nick Bosa has missed a significant portion of training camp while dealing with soreness and tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee. However, Shanahan does not appear overly concerned about his star pass rusher's status.
"He's doing good," Shanahan said. "Hoping that he can get into practice next week and we'll see how those three days go after the mandatory three days off."
Ramping up George Kittle
The 49ers activated tight end George Kittle from the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Sunday. Kittle participated in his second consecutive practice but remains held out of team drills.
"We've just been having him go with non-competitive periods, so that's the first four periods, routes on air, things like that, just working with the quarterbacks, working with the O-line," Shanahan explained. "Hoping next week, when we get those three practices after the mandatory three days off, hopefully he can get in there a little bit more."
49ers injury designations
Shanahan shared that wide receiver Christian Kirk will "possibly" be a candidate to start the season on the injured reserve list, forcing him to miss at least the first four games. Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe could also be a candidate.
"We've got a number of guys like that, so we've got to just see how that pans out here over the next few days," Shanahan said.
Shanahan added that the 49ers opening the regular season with a game in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams complicates matters, likely because the team needs to leave for Melbourne earlier than it would for a domestic road game.
"Most of our guys, besides [WR] Ricky [Pearsall] and everything, we know are going to be all right," Shanahan said. "How good are they going to be Week 1? How good are they going to be Week 2? Those are things we've got to balance out.
"But when you know they're going to be healthy within those first four weeks, then it's not as complicated. It's frustrating because you'd like them to be there right away, but if they're not going to be healthy after four weeks, then you can decide about PUP and things like that."
Other 49ers injury updates
Starting right guard Dominick Puni did not participate in Tuesday's practice. He was recently cleared from the concussion protocol and returned to practice.
"He complained of some residual things after practice today, so he's most likely back in it (the protocol)," Shanahan said.
Wide receiver Jacob Cowing is dealing with a groin injury, while cornerback Upton Stout suffered a hip flexor injury. Shanahan expects both players to return to practice next week.
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