49ers hope to have Dee Ford, Jaquiski Tartt for first NFL playoff game

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The 49ers are hopeful to get back two significant defensive players for their first NFL playoff game.

And if the 49ers advance to the NFC Championship game, there is a chance linebacker Kwon Alexander can return, too.

Coach Kyle Shanahan, speaking on a conference call with Bay Area reporters, expressed optimism that edge rusher Dee Ford (hamstring) and strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) will be back when the 49ers open the playoffs on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Levi’s Stadium.

“I’m hopeful for it and I am optimistic about it,” Shanahan said. “You never know with how those things go, with the ribs and with the hamstring. But that was the goal. We knew there could be a slight chance this week, if we were playing this week, so getting this bye week should make it an even better chance then.”

Ford is a big key to the defense as a pass-rusher. He registed 6.5 sacks in 11 games during the regular season. Tartt started all 12 games in which he appeared. He has 48 tackles on the season.

The 49ers emerged from their 26-21 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night as NFC West champions.

And the game provided another win for the 49ers, as they traveled back home with no additional injury concerns, Shanahan said.

The 49ers will have a light week with a day off on Wednesday, followed by light practices on Thursday and Friday before getting more rest over the weekend.

Alexander remains on injured reserve, but he appears to be the team’s most likely option to return to play this season. Alexander sustained a torn pectoral in the 49ers’ Oct. 31 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He underwent surgery on Nov. 5.

Alexander had a lengthy workout with Dustin Perry, the 49ers’ head of strength and conditioning, hours prior to the 49ers’ game Sunday night in Seattle.

“He’s coming along,” Shanahan said. “There’s definitely going to be a chance. I don’t think that’ll be this week. But if we’re fortunate enough to win our first game, I think he could have a chance after that, so we’re still holding out hope for that. We’ll see how it goes over this next couple of weeks.”

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Right guard Mike Person, who has been bothered by a neck condition, has not started the past two games. The additional time off should help him feel better, but the 49ers will have a decision to make whether to bring back Person for the playoffs or stick with Daniel Brunskill as the starter.

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