49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s practice and reported on absences from the first pre-regular season session.
There seems to be no long-term problem ahead. Shanahan said the wait is for all players to return in week 1, although he did not provide any guarantees.
Quarterback Trey Lance went through a few drills, but didn’t take any snapshots or make any actual throws while nursing a small chip in the index finger of the throwing hand. It was not included in the Shanahan update.
Here is who came out on Wednesday:
(Photo AP / Tony Avelar)
Aiyuk missed the end of the preseason as he aims to regain his hamstring muscle 100%. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see how the team took it slow even before the start of the regular season. He is one of his two best receivers and the reward of attacking him earlier this year does not outweigh the risk.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Armstead had a day off to start the week before week 1. The versatile defender had injury issues early in his career, but has played all 16 games in each of the last three seasons. Keeping it fresh will be key for the 49ers ’defensive front to recover this year.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Interestingly, Shanahan included the training staff receiver in his injury update. He usually saves these updates for active roster players, which could be a clue the team plans to elevate Benjamin from the training roster for the first season. I could catch the point coming back from Aiyuk. He had a concussion during the preseason and has yet to abandon the concussion protocol.
Szeto-USA Sports TODAY
Givens’ groin injury does not appear to be serious. Shanahan said “it’s been a bit tight,” so the 49ers “just left him out for maintenance.” With Maurice Hurst in the Reserve injured with a high ankle sprain, having another defensive line player out would be a hard blow inside the defensive line. It would be ideal for the donations to arrive at the track before Monday to prepare for the opening.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Shanahan said Greenlaw is on the same boat as Givens. The 49ers aren’t extremely deep on defense, so losing Greenlaw would be a tough way to start the year. Still, it looks like the 49ers are taking it slow, with more than a week left before the start. The state of Greenlaw will be worth watching for him to enter on Monday.
(Photo by AP / Josie Lepe)
Johnson was signed after Hurst and CB Davontae Harris switched to IR. He’s been dealing with a hip problem and missed the last preseason game. The 49ers don’t have a lot of options around the corner, so having a healthy veteran can be significant even if you’re not in line to start or play a major role in the first season.