While Colbert is practicing this week, the 49ers are being careful with their rookie safety. He is 16 days removed from surgery to repair his broken right thumb and will continue to practice this week in a blue no-contact jersey. The decision on whether or not Colbert gets onto the football field on Sunday will be made by the 49ers trainers and medical staff. All Colbert can do is work hard to show he is ready.
The 49ers coaching staff hasn't sounded very optimistic that Colbert will be available when the team travels to Chicago. They see next week's game against the Houston Texans as a more likely return date.
"We'll see how the week goes with him and how it heals and how he feels," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday. "There is a chance that he could play this week. Feel definitely better about him the following week versus Houston, but there's a chance."
On Thursday, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh also discussed his rookie safety and how he has progressed this week in practice.
"He was able to go through his non-contact (drills)," Saleh said. "He's got the blue jersey on so we're working through that part of it. Thankfully, his feet and head weren't hurt so he's been able to fly around with all that speed that we're starting to like."
Saleh agreed with Shanahan's projected timeline but added, "You never know."
Colbert broke his thumb in the first quarter of a Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. He went on to play in all 66 of the team's defensive snaps.
Colbert was the third 49ers safety to suffer an injury in as many weeks. The week before, Jaquiski Tartt sustained a broken arm and landed on injured reserve. Two weeks before Colbert's injury, Jimmie Ward also broke his arm and was placed on injured reserve.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers coordinator says Fred Warner is unlike any star he's coached
The San Francisco 49ers felt the absence of Fred Warner last season. The star linebacker suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in Week 6, sidelining him for the remainder of the campaign. Now healthy, Warner is preparing to rejoin his teammates on the field. Like... -
Stop running from the belt: 49ers' Brandon Aiyuk continues to keep drama alive on social media
Brandon Aiyuk isn't doing much to quiet the rumors surrounding his future—or his sanity. He's seemingly doing everything he can to keep the drama alive, and it is a story that won't go away. And though he isn't spelling it out, Aiyuk appears to be sending the 49ers a... -
49ers among the Super Bowl LXI favorites, per ESPN's Football Power Index
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a good season amidst a bounty of injuries, and ESPN's latest Football Power Index suggests they remain firmly in the Super Bowl conversation. This is despite some key players such as Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, George Kittle, and Mykel... -
NFL execs: 49ers could use in-season Mac Jones trade to bolster roster
The San Francisco 49ers never seriously entertained the idea of trading quarterback Mac Jones, especially after he stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy last season and helped keep the offense on track. However, with Jones entering the final year of his contract, 2026 could...