The San Francisco 49ers exited Thursday night's game against the Arizona Cardinals with two notable injuries. Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle absorbed a helmet to the knee area in the first quarter of action but returned to the game before finally exiting in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Kwon Alexander exited late in the third quarter with a chest injury, and did not return.


Both players are receiving MRIs this morning.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan jumped on a conference call with reporters this morning and said he is optimistic about Kittle's potential results and doesn't believe the tight end's injury to be a long-term one.

"I know it was scary, but the fact that they felt good enough with him coming back in the game, just talking to everyone last night, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about Kittle," Shanahan said. "I know he played through a lot of stuff. It's going to be tough on him this week, but I feel pretty good that it's not going to be a longer-term thing, and hopefully, we'll be able to get him back this week."

Shanahan sounded less optimistic about Alexander's MRI, saying that he was nervous about the upcoming results.

"Kwon has been great for us this year on the field and as a leader," Shanahan said. "I'm a lot more nervous about that MRI coming back today. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm a lot more nervous about that one."


Shanahan added that rookie Dre Greenlaw would fill in for Alexander if the veteran linebacker had to miss playing time.

"It's going to be a tough loss," Shanahan continued. "Hopefully, it's not for the whole season, but if it is, we'll deal with it. But I'm really hoping it's not because he's been a hell of an addition for us."

The results of the MRIs should be known in the next couple of hours.

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