© Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
For once, the 49ers’ injury news is (mostly) positive. While they departed Baltimore with four new injuries, all of which with the potential to last for multiple weeks, it appears only Jullian Taylor’s elbow ligament issue will be a verifiable multi-week problem, with Jaquiski Tartt’s rib fracture potentially in the same category (he was viewed as day-to-day on Monday, but the 49ers signed safety Antone Exum Jr. on Wednesday as cover).
But Richard Sherman (knee sprain) and D.J. Jones (ankle sprain), they were both active at 49ers practice at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Below is the 49ers’ full practice report for Wednesday:
Did not practice: WR Dante Pettis (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs), DT Jullian Taylor (elbow)
Limited participation: DE Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring), DT D.J. Jones (ankle), TE George Kittle (knee, ankle), CB Richard Sherman (knee), T Joe Staley (finger)
Full participation: RB Matt Breida (ankle), WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder), WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs)
The activity of Ford, Jones, Sherman, Staley (Kittle’s limitation being precautionary) and Breida all bodes well for their availability on Sunday. How is Sherman practicing so quickly after suffering a knee sprain?
“We did some Mr. Miyagi stuff on him, he’s good to go. We’ll see though,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “Hopefully he’ll get better each day. I know he’s not there all the way yet. He’s got a few more days to do it and hopefully he’ll be out there Sunday.”
Jones and Ford being able to make it through this week healthy would be a tremendous bonus for a defensive line that has lost players in each of the last three weeks to injury.
Also practicing on Wednesday was Kentavius Street, who opened his three-week practice window to return from injured reserve. It would seem likely that the 49ers would place Taylor on injured reserve and add either Street or Kevin Givens (practice squad) if Taylor’s elbow issue is a multiple-week issue as it’s expected to be.
Breida’s likely return after being sidelined for the past three weeks with an ankle sprain would be a welcome sight.
While Raheem Mostert has excelled in his stead (5.9 yards per carry on the year), Tevin Coleman has had a wretched time as of late, rushing for a combined 59 yards on 28 carries (2.11 yards per carry) over the past three weeks, and just 122 yards on 49 carries in the last five weeks (2.49 yards per carry). Breida, meanwhile, has proven himself as the 49ers’ best back, and has a 4.97 yards per carry average this season.
The New Orleans Saints’ injury report was much more abbreviated:
Did not practice: LB Kiko Alonso (thigh), LB A.J. Klein (knee), G Andrus Peat (forearm)
Limited participation: T Terron Armstead (ankle), RB Zach Line (knee)
