Kyle Shanahan is hopeful George Kittle could be on his way back to the field but less confident about the status of Jimmy Garoppolo.
On Monday, the head coach revealed that the All-Pro tight end could have his practice window opened this week, but Shanahan is not sure his quarterback will see the field again in the 2020 regular season.
“I think it’s up in the air,” Shanahan said of Garoppolo. “I’m waiting to hear from the doctors. When you have the high ankle sprain that he had -- it was worse than everyone else -- it was so close to surgery.
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“The only way we are going to put him out there is if it’s completely healed. We aren’t going to risk him having surgery. I don’t want to put him out there the last game or two with the chance of him re-injuring it and having to have surgery.”
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Garoppolo missed Weeks 3 and 4 after sustaining a high ankle sprain in the team’s win over the New York Jets. He returned to the field for four contests until re-injuring the same ankle in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks, severely enough that the team’s doctors considered surgery.
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Kittle missed two games at the beginning of the 2020 season after sustaining an MCL sprain in the team’s Week 1 loss to the Cardinals. He was placed on injured reserve after fracturing his foot in the team’s loss to the Seahawks in Week 8.
More injury news and updates from Shanahan:
LB Fred Warner: The linebacker was cleared from the concussion protocol during the game but did sustain a stinger. Shanahan added that they are awaiting more imaging to before allowing the linebacker to return to practice.
RB Raheem Mostert: Shanahan revealed the running back sustained an ankle injury that was discovered after the team’s loss to Washington. The team is awaiting more imaging to determine Mostert’s status in preparation for Sunday’s game in Dallas.
OL Daniel Brunskill: The lineman sustained a shoulder injury and is day-to-day.
RELATED: 49ers have little reason to bring Kittle back this season
WR Jauan Jennings: Shanahan gave an update that the rookie receiver might return to the field before the end of the regular season. Jennings hamstring strain was "almost ripped" and was the worst on the team.
DL Kevin Givens: The defensive lineman returned to the 49ers' home base in Arizona after witnessing the birth of his daughter. He should complete the COVID-19 protocols in time to prepare and play in the team's Week 15 contest facing the Cowboys.