The San Francisco 49ers may have lost their undefeated streak, but all is not lost. The Niners hold a well enough lead in the division that even though they aren't playing this week, nobody in the division can catch them.
This also gives the Niners some much needed time to rest.
Through seven weeks, the 49ers have been one of the most banged-up teams in the league, and yet until Sunday, they managed to put together a perfect record.
With that being said, with a week off, the timelines for certain players just may line up when the 49ers are due to suit up again. Nobody can promise a fully healthy unit, but the team should be in a much healthier position come Week 9.
Nick Bosa
One of the larger hits to the team, Bosa has been out since he strained his calf prior to Week 3. His timeline has been pushed back a few times, but there's plenty of optimism to be found for a Week 9 return.
Bosa is a key defensive players that forces opposing offenses to consistently account for him on the field, and the Niners have sorely missed him.
Deebo Samuel
Since returning to the Niners before the 2026 season, Deebo Samuel's homecoming has been a celebrated move, and it's actually paid off. But now Samuel has missed two games with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 5.
A Week 9 return isn't promised, but it matches the expected timeline for his injury.
Mike Evans
Mike Evans has become the 49ers' leading receiver, despite playing through a visibly painful rib injury and a flared Achilles tendon that ultimately brought him to the sidelines. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated no further testing would be required, meaning the plan is to have him ready to go for Week 9.
Demarcus Robinson
Robinson has been on the Injured Reserve list since Week 2, meaning he's been eligible to return since Week 7. Robinson suffered a high-ankle sprain carrying a three- to six-week timeline, which should put him somewhere in the realm of Week 9 or shortly after.
Marques Sigle
Marques Sigle hit the sidelines in Week 4 after an ankle injury kept him from the field. The Niners never placed him on the IR, either because they didn't have enough space for another name, or because they didn't expect his injury to carry more than four weeks.
With an additional week of rest, Sigle is likely to suit up following the bye.
Luke Gifford and Garret Wallow
Luke Gifford and Garret Wallow are both linebackers who could be valuable depth pieces once they've returned to the field. While Gifford is dealing with a groin injury, Wallow has been dealing with a hamstring. Neither has a firm timeline for a return to the field, but don't be surprised to see their name come Week 9.
The list of injured 49ers is much longer than stated here, but these are the players most likely to return following the bye week.
Not everyone on this list will be in uniform on Nov. 8, but even half of these returns would boost the roster in more ways than one. The Niners have done an excellent job working with the hand they've been dealt, but now it's time to see what they can do with a few of their playmakers back on the field.
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