The San Francisco 49ers will never be fully healthy this season, but they could be getting some key players back for a massive NFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday provided some optimism on a handful of players returning from their injury problems.
Shanahan said starting center Jake Brendel, who injured his hamstring in Week 7 and missed the last two games, has a chance to participate in practice in the lead up to Week 10. The club won’t know until Brendel gets evaluated ahead of Wednesday’s practice. The same goes for wide receiver Ricky Pearsall who has been out since injuring his knee in Week 4.
“Real similar to Jake (Brendel) on that,” Shanahan said. “They couldn’t confirm today if he’d be available this week, so we’ll take it day-by-day, but continue to evaluate him as this week goes.”
Getting Pearsall back would be a huge lift for a 49ers offense that has been piecing together a receiving corps with an injured Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and a mix of seldom-used veterans along with rookie Jordan Watkins.
Pearsall’s return would give them a player who’d emerged as their unquestioned No. 1 receiver. Prior to his exit in Week 4, Pearsall racked up 20 receptions for 327 yards on 29 targets. With George Kittle back in the mix and Christian McCaffrey leading the team in receiving, Pearsall would round out a really nice group of three top playmakers.
Shanahan also mentioned the team expects defensive end Bryce Huff to return against the Rams after missing the last two weeks because of a hamstring injury he sustained against the Atlanta Falcons.
Starting left guard Ben Bartch is also on track to return after nearly playing in Week 9. Spencer Burford was the starting LG against the Giants in his first game after spending the first eight weeks on IR with a knee injury. Getting healthy on the offensive line will be big for the 49ers if Mac Jones is going to remain under center where his lack of mobility has exposed some of the holes in San Francisco’s pass protection.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: WR Ricky Pearsall among several 49ers starters who could return for huge NFC West showdown
Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
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