Update — 49ers place two more players on the Reserve/Covid-19 list. OL Hroniss Grasu and LB Joe Walker
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49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan added a few more players to the injury list and one to the Covid-19 list. After their loss to the New Orleans Saints, Shanahan spoke with the media before heading into the bye week.
“Injuries from the game, S Jonathan Cyprien will be out a few weeks with a hamstring, RB Jamal Hasty has a broken collarbone and will have season ending surgery, S Jared Mayden had a quad strain, likely done for the year. We hope to have Tevin Coleman back next week versus the Rams, as well as Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert and Richard Sherman.”
Unfortunately the team placed Arik Armstead on the Covid-19 reserve list and closed the facility down today for precaution. During the bye week, players will not be allowed to travel home as they did in the past. They must stay in the area and continue to receive their daily tests by 11am everyday.
Shanahan was asked about Jimmy Garoppolo’s return. It’s been two weeks since the quarterback has been off his feet, no expectation or rush for his return but is it possible for a comeback before the season ends? Also, with the future of the franchise at stake, will he be a starter next year or dose the team start looking for a quarterback replacement now.
“I’m holding out hope that Jimmy can get back and play some games with us,” said Shanahan. “Jimmy did have a real bad ankle injury. It’s very good that he didn’t have to have surgery because that’s what gives him a chance. I think he just got out of his boot and we’re still a little bit of ways from getting there, but that’s what I’m holding out hope for.
“I expect Jimmy to be our starter next year. I expect him to come and play with us this year. We have six games left. We are not out of the playoffs yet. I’ve been on a team that was three and six going into a bye week and ended up winning their division. I think we have guys on this team capable of finishing this the right way.”
The 49ers hope to get back many of their injured players during this bye week. Samuels and Mostert would be a huge lift to the offense. Getting Sherman back would be be an early Xmas gift to the defense. His leadership presence and veteran experience is missing on the field. The team has taken a hit with injuries since before the season started.
“It’s a huge boost, Shanahan explained. “Getting guys who you depend on, who’ve done a lot for us, I think you guys can see how Deebo’s been in just the games he’s played this year. How Sherm’s been, just even when he came out to practice the boost he gives.
I also want to say, which I echoed to the guys today too, that we’re not going to win just because these guys are coming back. These guys haven’t played football in a while and usually when they do come back, it takes them a week or so to get into it and to really affect a game. I’ll make sure when I see them Friday and Saturday we do our part and we come in next week, rested, pumped up to go and ready to finish out 2020 the right way.”
Photo by 49ers
