The 49ers have spent most of the season (past two seasons?) trying to overcome injuries to star players.
It appears that big-time tight end George Kittle could return to the field Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals after spending the last few weeks on the injured reserve with a calf injury.
“I’m not counting on it 100 percent,” Shanahan told reporters Wednesday. “I’m waiting to see how he feels today. We’re going to slow it down a little bit. Been banged-up the past couple weeks and we’re going to go pretty slow today. I think the real test will be [Thursday]. … We’re preparing like he’s going to play.”
If Kittle gets on the field, don’t expect him to have a limited play count.
“I haven’t heard of anyone managing a tight end, especially one like Kittle,” Shanahan said. “Tight ends go. They play every every play usually, lots of ‘em. We have lots of different personnel groupings, but most tight ends are over 80 percent of the game. Kittle’s always going to play through stuff and go out there when he’s not 100 percent.”
The 49ers could sorely use Kittle, who is arguably the team's top offensive player. Not only is he one of the best receiving tight ends in the league, but he is a great run-blocker who can help the Niners offense even when he doesn't have the ball in his hands. In four games played this year, Kittle has totaled 19 catches for 227 yards.
Shanahan provided a lengthy health update on his squad before Wednesday’s practice, where wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), tackle Trent Williams (ankle), running back Elijah Mitchell (rib) and defensive tackle Mo Hurst (calf) were expected to sit out.
Shanahan said Samuel -- who was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his six-catch, 171-yard performance Sunday vs. the Chicago Bears -- aggravated his calf injury that had been lingering from the week before.
“He played a lot and went through a lot,” Shanahan said. “It felt worse after.”
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There was some good news, though. Along with Kittle, running back Jeff Wilson (meniscus), linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (concussion) and defensive lineman Dee Ford (concussion) were all expected to return to the practice field Wednesday.
The 49ers were hoping linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin) would be able to return from the injured reserve this week, but Shanahan said next week looks more likely.
