49ers injury bug will carry over into Week 12 game vs. Packers

The San Francisco 49ers managed to pull off a win over the Arizona Cardinals despite some key injuries, and those setbacks could be a problem in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers.

On a positive note, the San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t have been able to overcome the sheer magnitude of injuries they’ve suffered in 2019 a season or two ago.

But that doesn’t change just how much injuries have played a factor in the Niners’ efforts this season. Despite their 9-1 record and pulling off a thrilling 36-26 come-from-behind win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad is going to enter arguably the toughest stretch of its schedule.

And the 49ers could possibly be without some key contributors as soon as their Week 12 home bout against the two-loss Green Bay Packers.

Tight end George Kittle, who has been absent the past two weeks with both knee and ankle injuries, remains questionable for Week 12. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who exited the game against Arizona after reaggravating his ribs injury, is also uncertain to play against Green Bay.

EDGE Dee Ford suffered a hamstring injury, while rookie wideout Deebo Samuel injured his shoulder against the Cardinals. Samuel stayed in the game, while Ford left.

“Just recapping some of the injuries, guys, real similar situation compared to last week with [kicker] Robbie [Gould], Kittle, same situation,” Shanahan told reporters on Monday (h/t 49ers Webzone). “We’ll see how the week progresses with them. [Linebacker] Azeez [Al-Shaair] (concussion), hopefully we can get him back out of the protocol on Wednesday. [Running back Matt] Breida in the same situation, we’ll see how the week progresses with him. [Defensive tackle] D.J. Jones, same thing. Emmanuel, hopefully he’ll be a little bit better this week, but he’s in the same boat he started last week. The new injuries from the game: Dee Ford, hamstring strain, we’ll see how this week goes, not sure yet. Deebo, shoulder. Same issue. [Cornerback] K’Waun [Williams] left with a stinger, but he returned and he should be fine.”

The Packers, meanwhile, are coming off their bye week and have a relatively clean slate of health ahead of their matchup with San Francisco.

There are three notable injuries the 49ers have to deal with for this game. San Francisco’s offense struggled mightily against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 10, sans Kittle and Sanders. Sanders figures to be in better situation to play against the Packers, yet the ideal scenario would be to have both available at quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo‘s disposal.

The other, of course, is Ford and his 6.5 sacks on the season, which ranks third best among the Niners defense. Considering Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ exceptionable ability evading pressure and extending plays, having the combined outside pressure of Ford and rookie EDGE Nick Bosa is vital.

And yet San Francisco might not get it.

Shanahan also provided further updates on injured wide receivers Jalen Hurd (back) and Trent Taylor (foot), neither who have played this season.

“I don’t know if we’ve 100-percent ended that, but it has not been looking good,” Shanahan said. “So that’s kind of out of sight, out of mind for me right now.”

Regardless, the key for San Francisco will be ensuring Kittle, Sanders and Ford will be ready to go. Hopefully against the Packers, who are competing with the Niners for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.