San Francisco 49ers: 5 injured players from 2019 who’ll make a difference in 2020

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a rash of notable injuries over the course of 2019, yet a number of those players coming back figure to help the team a lot in 2020.

In 2018, the San Francisco 49ers were beset by a number of key injuries throughout what turned into a disappointing 4-12 season. Chief among these was a season-ending ACL tear for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, whose early exit in Week 3 all but ended any hopes for a successful campaign that year.

In 2019, however, the Niners depth was adequate enough to overcome yet another swarm of key injuries on both sides of the ball. San Francisco effectively managed those setbacks well enough en route to a 13-3 finish, the NFC West crown, the top seed in the conference and a trip to Super Bowl LIV.

While the 49ers have some pressing offseason needs, it’s important to recognize the fact head coach Kyle Shanahan will be expecting some notable players to return fully healthy and healed for the team’s upcoming 2020 campaign.

Consider this: San Francisco had 16 players land on injured reserve over the course of last season. Garoppolo and left guard Laken Tomlinson were the only offensive starters to play in all 16 regular-season games, highlighting the fact the Niners overcame far more than just players landing on IR.

It’s important to note a good chunk of these players are expected back and will ultimately serve as reinforcements for a team already loaded with plenty of top talent.

In one way, it’s almost as if the Niners are going to be receiving some much-needed assets the same way they otherwise would in free agency or the NFL Draft.

Here are five returnees from injury the 49ers should count upon to make a sizable contribution in 2020.