With a final game of no consequence on the docket for Sunday, Kyle Shanahan has some interesting decisions on his hands. He provided injury updates Monday and shed a bit more light on who may be available for the regular-season finale with the Los Angeles Rams.
There are a number of players already ruled out, which means San Francisco won't have a choice but to play some key players. Here's what we know so far:
Out, or likely out for Sunday
- RB Christian McCaffrey: Mild calf strain, won't play. Shanahan said the 49ers are "real confident" that he'll be recovered after two weeks, saying, "It was good news. Could've been a lot worse.”
- CB Ambry Thomas: Will undergo surgery on broken hand (entered game vs. Commanders with injury). Shanahan said that will "keep him out, most likely." That one is less definite than McCaffrey or Armstead and Shanahan wasn't too worried about it. He said if Thomas is out, "it would only be this week."
- DT Arik Armstead: Has lingering foot and knee injuries. He will be rested this week heading into the playoffs.
Currently questionable, status will develop over week
- WR Jauan Jennings: Remains in concussion protocol after missing the past two games.
- OL Jaylon Moore: Remains in concussion protocol.
- S Ji'Ayir Brown: Has a knee injury that kept him out against Washington. Shanahan said he's "not sure whether he has a chance or not," which indicates he's unlikely to play.
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud (on injured reserve): McCloud has been on injured reserve since November 23, when he suffered a broken rib. Shanahan said that his 21-day practice return window will be opened Wednesday and that he "will have a chance to be up" for Sunday's game.
- WR Danny Gray (on injured reserve): Gray was described by Shanahan as "good to go," in his recovery from a shoulder injury back on November 17, but didn't have his 21-day practice window opened until last week. Shanahan said Monday, "we'll see how it goes with Danny," who could be someone the 49ers elect not to bring back if there are tough roster decisions to be made.
Brock Purdy, Trent Williams and philosophy on rest
Shanahan said that "no one's set" when asked about rest for veteran players like Trent Williams, but that there won't be "as many as you would think" on the sidelines. He said there is not yet a plan on whether Brock Purdy will be rested.
He also discussed the unique challenge of preparing for a full week knowing that his team won't be at full strength, but that there are a number of areas they'd like to improve on before a bye week.
He stressed that practice is substantial in terms of preparation, and treating this week seriously on the practice field is key in avoiding any bad habits heading into the playoffs.
“I think it can be tough, but it's not just playing, it's how much you practice and everything, too," Shanahan said. "You’ve got to make sure that you prepare for games by practicing. We’ve got a game this week on Sunday. When you give guys the game off, practice changes too. That can end up hurting guys a lot and you end up just developing bad habits. I've seen it cost a lot of teams.
Also, it does give some guys a chance to get healthy. When you do that and you sit people, then some of the names you guys mentioned, but then other people have got to double up and do a lot more because you only get two guys off a practice squad also.
If you want to get more than two off practice squad, we’ve got to cut people on a roster and then we don't get those guys, just to get those guys up. So, it always can end up hurting. You rest players and that sometimes gets more players injured. That's all that stuff you’ve got to balance out and that's why there's not a clear-cut decision on anything. You’ve got to look at each individual, in each situation and play it out as the week goes.”
In other words, the 49ers are going to make sure that players who need rest will get it, but that practice is expected to be taken seriously. There will also be a number of starters playing.
Deebo Samuel already confirmed he'd play on "Up & Adams," saying he'd play "for a good bit." That might be an indication of the 49ers' approach. It seems like it may be similar to a preseason game, with a heavy first-half (or first quarter) involvement, but that there could be some second-half rest.
Obviously, the priority is avoiding any key injuries and enjoying the bye. Shanahan said he firmly believes the advantage of the bye outweighs any potential rust.