49ers free safety Adrian Colbert’s season came to a disappointing end Sunday when he sustained a high ankle sprain in a 39-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Colbert was placed on injured reserve with an injury that is expected to keep him out of action for six to eight weeks. Colbert is not a candidate to return to the team later in the season, Shanahan added.
Rookie D.J. Reed is expected to step in to start in Colbert’s place. Reed played most of the second half after Colbert sustained his right ankle injury after awkwardly landing following a collision with cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, as the two were covering a deep Jared Goff pass.
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Teams are allowed to designate two players off injured reserve. Rookie safety Marcell Harris returned to practice last week after spending the first six weeks on injured reserve. The club also plans to activate outside linebacker Dekoda Watson off injured reserve.
The 49ers re-signed veteran quarterback Tom Savage with the roster spot that opened with Colbert’s injury. Savage spent most of last week on the team’s 53-man roster. The 49ers released him Saturday to promote defensive back Tyvis Powell from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.