The 49ers had some news to offer Tuesday afternoon, as they prepare for a bye week of practice and rest.
Kyle Shanahan provided updates on a number of fronts as the 49ers look to get healthy before the Divisional Round, and as Steve Wilks receives head coaching interest.
Major injury updates
There were two pieces of bad news from a game that otherwise had no stakes for the 49ers. Shanahan confirmed that defensive end Clelin Ferrell is likely out for a few weeks with a knee injury (though he previously that his ACL and MCL were not torn) and will likely miss the first playoff game.
He added that squad safety Tayler Hawkins needs surgery for a wrist injury but did not offer further details.
By far the most consequential and positive news for the 49ers is that Arik Armstead appears on track to return. Armstead has been out since the Week 13 win over the Philadelphia Eagles with foot and knee injuries. The former has been more of an issue than the latter and dates back to last season when Armstead missed eight of 17 regular season games.
Shanahan said that Armstead is "looking good," and should be back in practice this week. He added that he would have played last week if he was needed. While he's a more than capable pass rusher with playoff production, it's his run defense that has been sorely missed.
Here are the other updates:
- George Kittle is doing much better after dealing with pregame back spasms on Sunday
- The team will be "smart" with Dre Greenlaw in practice this week as he deals with Achilles tendonitis
- Christian McCaffrey will not practice this week as he deals with a calf strain, but Shanahan expects that he'll return to practice next week. His game status for the first playoff game does not appear to be in any question.
- Jauan Jennings is out of the concussion protocol
- Jon Feliciano (back), Ji'Ayir Brown (knee), Tashaun Gipson Sr. (calf) and Ambry Thomas (hand surgery) are all hoped to be back in practice this week
- Safety George Odum (biceps) is having his 21-day IR practice window opened, which could provide a substantial boost of depth at safety
- Drake Jackson is not an option to come off injured reserve as a reinforcement for Ferrell. Shanahan said he is not healthy enough to return, which likely means an increased role for rookie Robert Beal Jr., who was promoted from injured reserve a few weeks back. The current defensive end group is Nick Bosa, Chase Young, Randy Gregory and Beal.
- Shanahan didn't say specifically that Brown will start at safety when he returns from injury. He praised veteran safety Logan Ryan for his flexibility and capacity to play right off the street. He said the following:
"We'll see how Ji'Ayir is when he comes back because [he] was playing at a real high level to before he got hurt. But I'm real happy with Logan."
Veteran CB to be added to the mix?
The 49ers worked out veteran corner Casey Heyward, per the league's transaction wire. Heyward, 34, is a former 2nd-round pick and two-time Pro Bowler who played for the Atlanta Falcons last season.
He started six games for Atlanta last season and was released in April with a failed physical designation due to a torn pectoral. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that he was medically cleared prior to the start of this season, but has not played elsewhere.
Shanahan confirmed the desire to sign a veteran corner after Jason Verrett suffered a devastating, season-ending torn rotator cuff in practice. He was expected to play heavily on Sunday before the injury.
"Yes, losing one of our veterans, we're allowed six veterans on practice squad," Shanahan said. "And we like those veterans, they're guys who can help us in a pinch. So losing JV was tough. So we want to make sure we at least got to get another corner in and we want to take a look at some vets since that spot opened up."
Veterans can be promoted to the active roster, then cut and re-added to the practice squad without being subject to waivers that younger players are, giving them extra value to a team outside of their experience.
Steve Wilks gets at least one head coaching interview
Another year, another 49ers assistant gets a head coaching interview. For each of the past three seasons, the 49ers have lost coordinators to head coaching jobs, with Robert Saleh in 2021 to the Jets, Mike McDaniel in 2022 to the Dolphins and DeMeco Ryans in 2023 to the Texans (along with Bobby Slowik who is reportedly getting head coaching interest this cycle).
Now, Steve Wilks, who was passed over by the Carolina Panthers and drink-throwing owner David Tepper after leading them to a 6-6 record down the stretch, is getting some interest.
Shanahan confirmed that Wilks will be interviewed by the Los Angeles Chargers, and subtly added that it's the only "official" interview Wilks has set up. He said he's heard of more interest but that no one else has gone through the process of requesting an interview as of yet.