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The 49ers are dealing with several injuries to key players. This, of course, has been the story of their season.
The offense has particularly been banged up throughout the past two weeks. Last week, they had seven players sit out of practice, several of which are still recovering from injuries.
Kyle Shanahan updated their statuses on his weekly appearance with KNBR’s Murph and Mac Friday morning.
- The 49ers head coach ruled out rookie receiver Dante Pettis. Pettis will miss his third straight game after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter of San Francisco’s 29-27 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Cornerback Jimmie Ward is doubtful. Ward started over Ahkello Witherspoon at the right cornerback spot last week. With the exception to a miscommunication on the first play, Shanahan felt Ward played well. Shanahan added that Ahkello “will be up” for Sunday after going through the concussion protocol this week. He will compete with fellow second-year cornerback Greg Mabin, who struggled in limited snaps last week, for playing time. “(Witherspoon) responded the right way,” Shanahan said, of Witherspoon’s benching last game. “He had his best week of practice. He has carried it over into this week. I know if need-be he will be ready to go.”
- Slot receiver Trent Taylor will be questionable. Taylor missed Week 6 with a back injury. He had surgery this offseason to remove bone spurs from his back.
- Wide receiver Pierre Garcon will also be questionable. Garcon is one of the few 49ers skill players to play in every game this season. He “has been battling some things,” according to Shanahan, including shoulder and knee injuries.
- Shanahan expects to have a fully healthy starting offensive line. Joe Staley, Mike Person, and Weston Richburg have all dealt with recent knee injuries.
As of Thursday, Pettis and Ward were the only 49ers players who did not participate in practice. Among those who were limited were Taylor (back), Garcon (shoulder, knee), Witherspoon (concussion), Staley (knee), Person (knee), Richburg (knee), Matt Breida (shoulder, ankle), George Kittle (knee), Richard Sherman (calf), and K’Waun Williams (shoulder).
The 49ers will conduct a walk-through practice Friday.
Listen to the podcast below. To hear Shanahan talk about injuries, skip to the 6:15 mark.