Of course, there is reason for the 49ers to be worried about Dee Ford’s physical condition.
And coach Kyle Shanahan did not even try to hide it.
“I’m concerned,” Shanahan said Wednesday on a video call with reporters. “When you’re dealing with a back injury, you really don’t know the timetable.”
Ford was held out of practice last Wednesday with what the team initially believed were neck spasms. Shanahan said it was later diagnosed as a back condition.
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Ford did not practice Wednesday while the team is in West Virginia. He is not expected to be available for the 49ers’ Week 3 game on Sunday against the New York Giants.
And it’s not known how much time he will miss.
“I know he's gotten some medicine this week that we're hoping helps, but that's a wait-and-see approach,” Shanahan said. “So each day you're looking into him, see how it goes.”
Ford is out indefinitely, and the 49ers do not appear confident in a prompt return to action.
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“I'm sure it's a long shot this week," Shanahan said, "but there is no timetable on it because you’ve got to see how the medicine reacts and if it helps.”
Shanahan did not reveal the specifics of the “medicine” Ford was administered. Afterward, the 49ers declined to provide any additional information about Ford’s treatment.
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Ford did not play in the 49ers’ Week 2 game against the New York Jets.
The team became further shorthanded on the defensive line after Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas sustained season-ending knee injuries.
On Wednesday, the 49ers signed free-agent edge rusher Ziggy Ansah and promoted veteran defensive end Dion Jordan from the practice squad.