Which 49ers on injured reserve last year return in 2018?
By Peter Panacy
The injury bug bit the San Francisco 49ers hard in 2017. And while a number of players will make impacts upon their return, others might not make the cut in 2018 at all. Let’s look at who comes back and who’s in danger.
2017 wasn’t particularly kind to the San Francisco 49ers, as far as injuries go.
In total, the Niners lost an astounding 20 players to injured reserve over the course of the season. Many were intended to be impact players for head coach Kyle Shanahan, including wide receiver Pierre Garçon, linebacker Malcolm Smith and defensive end Arik Armstead.
But that’s the reality of the NFL. Injuries happen. The question now is which players appear safe to make the 2018 regular-season roster and which ones are on the roster bubble?
In review, here’s the list of those IR players from San Francisco’s roster last year:
| Arik Armstead | SF | DE | 10/17/2017 | Hand |
| Victor Bolden | SF | WR | 12/13/2017 | Ankle |
| Trenton Brown | SF | OG | 12/16/2017 | Shoulder |
| Aaron Burbridge | SF | WR | 09/02/2017 | Hamstring |
| Pierre Garçon | SF | WR | 11/04/2017 | Neck |
| Joshua Garnett | SF | OG | 09/02/2017 | Knee |
| Jimmie Gilbert | SF | LB | 08/02/2017 | Knee |
| Garry Gilliam | SF | OT | 11/07/2017 | Knee |
| Cole Hikutini | SF | TE | 11/07/2017 | Knee |
| Asa Jackson | SF | DB | 10/10/2017 | Hamstring |
| Chanceller James | SF | DB | 08/15/2017 | Knee |
| Chris Jones | SF | DT | 09/02/2017 | Undisclosed |
| Don Jones | SF | DB | 09/02/2017 | Knee |
| Erik Magnuson | SF | OT | 11/29/2017 | Foot |
| Raheem Mostert | SF | RB | 11/29/2017 | Knee |
| Donavin Newsom | SF | LB | 08/17/2017 | Concussion |
| Malcolm Smith | SF | LB | 08/07/2017 | Pectoral |
| Jaquiski Tartt | SF | DB | 11/07/2017 | Forearm |
| Jimmie Ward | SF | DB | 11/01/2017 | Forearm |
| Joe Williams | SF | RB | 09/02/2017 | Ankle |
Garçon and Smith are locks to make the roster in 2018. Smith, despite missing all of 2017 with a pectoral injury, was a hand-picked addition by defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. And with linebacker depth a concern, there’s no reason to wonder about Smith’s future.
The same probably can be said of safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward, although the latter’s status might be a bit more in doubt.
Ward, who was initially San Francisco’s starter at free safety, will have a tough camp competition on his hands with one-year pro Adrian Colbert, who outdid Ward with an overall 77.6 Pro Football Focus grade, compared to Ward’s 46.9 mark.
With strong safety Eric Reid pegged for free agency, Tartt likely winds up taking over starting duties here. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Niners keep Ward as injury insurance in 2018.
Strong-Bubble Players
Armstead might be a player without a position next year, especially if the Niners make a move to upgrade their pass rush. A better interior pass-rusher, Armstead struggled in his adjustment to the LEO role in Saleh’s defense before suffering his season-ending hand injury in Week 6.
It’s likely he’s back, but San Francisco isn’t in a position where it has to rely on his return.
Left guard Joshua Garnett, who also missed all of 2017, is a strong candidate to return. 49ers brass wanted the second-year pro to change his body composition, but it’s still unclear whether or not he’s viewed as a long-term fixture.
Wide receiver Victor Bolden and Raheem Mostert both had substantial impacts on special teams, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see each return this year.
X-Factors and Weak-Bubble Players
One-year pro Cole Hikutini is one of the better pass-catching tight ends on San Francisco’s roster, although his blocking is a major downside. The Niners appear to have two likable TEs in place, with Garrett Celek and George Kittle, so Hikutini is fighting for one spot. And if the 49ers make any changes here this offseason, he’s likely the odd man out.
The same goes for running back Joe Williams, whose placement on IR seemed to be more of a redshirt move than anything else. Fumbling and inconsistency during 2017 training camp and the preseason likely forced this move.
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But with No. 1 tailback Carlos Hyde hitting free agency, Williams could get his chance if the Niners don’t bring in a top-tier tailback this offseason.
Defensive backs Chanceller James and Asa Jackson are wild cards, in a sense. The secondary is among San Francisco’s biggest needs, particularly at corner, but the ability to double on special teams will be vital to both Jackson and James’ chances to stick around on the 53 man.
As for the rest? Well, those are long shots.
Next: 5 moves the 49ers can make to help Jimmy Garoppolo in 2018
Many could wind up sticking around on the offseason 90-man roster, but it’s a stretch to say any wind up surviving roster cuts. We’ll see what happens, but it’s pretty clear San Francisco will have some tough decisions to make regarding this injury returnees.