In the aftermath of the 49ers’ 34-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, the organization was bracing for another season-ending loss of a defensive lineman.
But in a season filled with bad news, the 49ers finally received an uplifting diagnosis on starting nose tackle D.J. Jones.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that Jones did not sustain a high-ankle sprain, as the club feared. Jones was not scheduled to practice on Wednesday in Glendale, Arizona. But he could possibly be on the field when San Francisco returns to action on Sunday against Washington.
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“(We’re) fortunate he’ll play again for us this season,” Shanahan said. “But it is not healthy enough to go (practice) today, so I’m still holding out hope for this week, but it’ll be a day-to-day thing.”
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Jones, a four-year veteran, has started all 11 games in which he has appeared this season. He started 11 games last season, too, before going on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.
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He sustained his ankle injury on the first drive Monday night in the loss to the Bills. Jones played just 11 snaps in the game.
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Jones is tied, along with Dion Jordan, for second on the 49ers with two sacks. Kerry Hyder Jr. leads the team with 7.5 sacks on the season. Jones also has 14 tackles, including six for losses.
Jones is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.