The 49ers’ decision not to place Nick Bosa or James Thompson on injured reserve comes down to a numbers game as much as anything else.
San Francisco is already carrying eight players on IR with a designation to return, and the NFL cap on that list is eight. If the 49ers moved Bosa or Thompson onto IR, they would have to shut down one of those other eight for the rest of the season.
That leaves the team trying to manage a crowded injury list while preserving flexibility for the players it still expects back. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, those eight players are the ones San Francisco is counting on to return.
Kirk has been sidelined since the start of training camp because of a calf injury. He is closer to a return than he was with some of his more recent injuries, but there is still no clear read on how he will fit into the offense. If the 49ers have to choose one player to move to season-ending IR, it could be Kirk.
Robinson earned a real look after a strong preseason and even worked with the starters in Week 1, but a high-ankle sprain has him out for three to six weeks.
Stribling’s ankle sprain is expected to keep him out for about 10 weeks, though the 49ers are still hoping the rookie can get back into the mix by the end of the season.
Pleasants injured his knee in the preseason, and San Francisco has reason to keep him in the picture with Trent Williams and Vederian Lowe carrying injury histories and Enrique Cruz not yet someone the team is ready to lean on.
West’s season got off to a rough start even before he landed on IR with a meniscus injury in his knee. Kyle Shanahan did not offer a timeline, but he did say the injury is not season-ending.
Okuayinonu hurt his foot in the season opener and is expected to miss most of the year.
Martin, a third-round pick, is dealing with a hamstring injury, and the 49ers are not eager to end his season before he has had a chance to get on the field.
Hobbs is already on IR with a groin injury. San Francisco is deep at cornerback for now, but the group has still taken on some bumps and bruises.
In Other News...
49ers Suddenly Have A Jauan Jennings Decision They Never Wanted
Jauan Jennings ended up moving on after he and the 49ers could not reach a long-term agreement, and the former San Francisco receiver signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. For a team that already had to navigate injuries at wideout, the timing was hardly ideal. The 49ers responded by drafting DeZhaun Stribling to help fill the vacancy, but the position has still looked more precarious than planned.
Now the wrinkle the 49ers never wanted is hanging out there anyway: the possibility of a Jennings reunion. There has been speculation about it, even if no official trade talks have been confirmed, and that leaves San Francisco weighing a familiar name against the path it already started down with its younger options. The situation is exactly the kind of midseason personnel question teams try to avoid, especially when the original departure was supposed to settle things, not reopen them. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Need A Bigger Pass-Rush Move Than Fans Expected
The 49ers edge rush has become one of the more pressing issues on a roster that usually builds its identity around pressure up front. With Nick Bosa dealing with injury and the rest of the group providing limited production, San Francisco may be staring at a need that goes beyond the usual depth fix, especially if it wants to keep the defense operating at its usual level.
One name that has surfaced is Khalil Mack, with Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report suggesting the Chargers could be open to moving the veteran pass rusher. Mack still carries the rsum of a multiple-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, but his one-year deal and looming free agency make him a player with an uncertain future, and for the 49ers the bigger question may be whether a move of that magnitude is the kind of swing their pass rush now requires. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Get One Encouraging Injury Sign As Another Looks Far Worse
John Lynchs latest injury update offered the 49ers a little bit of optimism as they head into Week 4, with one key player trending toward a return and another moving closer to getting back on the field. Lynch said Mike Evans is likely to try to play through his injury, while Trent Williams could be back at practice soon, a welcome sign for a San Francisco team that has been managing its health carefully early in the season.
The news was far less encouraging on Nick Bosa, whose calf injury appears to be the bigger concern at the moment. Lynch said Bosa is unlikely to play, leaving the 49ers with one of their best defensive players still in limbo while the rest of the roster waits to see how the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]