Ward has been dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered at the start of training camp. It was an injury that forced the team to place him on the physically-unable-to-perform list until August 23. Since then, as the 49ers do with all of their injured players, the team has been careful in the process of getting Ward back onto the football field.
Shanahan was asked if the 49ers are being more careful with Ward, who has been activated for now for 23 days, because of the position that he plays and the fact that the free safety is expected to cover more ground on defense.
RELATED
"I think you always have to be careful with hamstrings," Shanahan said. "But I definitely agree that when all the skill guys – people that cover more ground – those hamstrings tend to go faster than the guys who stay more between the hashes. All 11 guys out there have to run a lot but, definitely, for a middle third player like Jimmie, he's going to be numbers-to-numbers all day and you've got to wait until it's 100-percent because you always want to go play when someone is 90-percent. We'd love to get him out there but we don't want to have him go out for a few plays and then miss him for another month."
Shanahan went on to say that Ward has gotten better each day in practice and that he had his best day on Friday.
"He's definitely questionable for the game so I'm not sure where he's going to be at," Shanahan continued. "I didn't get a chance to talk to him after practice but that's something I'll do this afternoon and I'm hoping for the best come Sunday."
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
Kyle Shanahan provides 49ers-Browns post-game injury updates
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters following Sunday's 26-8 victory over the Cleveland Browns, offering several updates on in-game injuries sustained at Huntington Bank Field. LB Nick Martin exited with a concussion and did not return. OL Ben... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan delivers hilarious response to question about bad-weather game plan vs. Browns
If you're wondering what kind of conditions the San Francisco 49ers will face on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, a clip from the Browns' Friday practice might offer some clues: If you're wondering what Sunday's #Browns game might look like, see today's... -
49ers vs. Browns final injury report: 3 ruled out for Sunday
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 13 contest against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Both teams have released their official injury reports, which are provided below. San Francisco 49ers Out LB Tatum Bethune... -
49ers' Kyle Shanahan explains Eric Kendricks signing after LB backed out last year
The San Francisco 49ers' move to add veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks to the practice squad raised some eyebrows, especially given that Kendricks previously backed out of an agreement with the team last year before signing with the Dallas Cowboys. Still, the 49ers are gaining...