Sherman on IR with calf injury
TE Kittle also sits out of practice with knee sprain
SANTA CLARA » So much for the 49ers’ Revenge Tour. Say hello to the Rehab Tour.
Richard Sherman, the 49ers’ top cornerback and their outspoken captain, became a surprise addition Wednesday to the 49ers’ extensive medical ward.
He went on injured reserve as a precautionary measure because of a calf injury, sidelining him at least the next three games ahead of a potential Oct. 11 return against the Miami Dolphins.
Whereas Sherman’s injury was not evident as he played all but the final four snaps of Sunday’s 24-20 season-opening loss to the Cardinals, the 49ers’ most glaring issue from that defeat was tight end George Kittle’s knee sprain.
Kittle did not practice Wednesday, nor did wide receiver Richie James (hamstring) or cornerbacks Jason Verrett (hamstring) and Ahkello Witherspoon (concussion protocol).
“It’s a challenge but you always have something like this each year,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s hitting us pretty hard right now. Having IR-to-return helps.”
As is the case with wide receiver Deebo Samuel (foot) going on injured reserve Friday, the 49ers are hoping Sherman can use the three-week break to get stronger.
Another factor that Shanahan noted in stashing players who have lowerbody injuries: artificial turf at MetLife Stadium, where the 49ers play their next two Sundays against the New York Jets and Giants.
The 49ers are only one game into their NFC title defense but they are one month into a stockpile of injuries. That began Day 2 of training camp when they
lost one of their top wide receivers, Jalen Hurd, to a season-ending knee injury.
From there, the training room got crowded with softtissue injuries. The 49ers’ lack of full participation in practices over the previous weeks, after offseason workouts got nixed by the coronavirus, led to the jumbled mess in clutch situation for their Week 1 defeat.
“Every team has to deal with injuries and have a next-man-up mindset,” Jimmy Garoppolo said. “We have to rely on guys you trust and they earn that in
practice.”
All is not lost, all are not wounded. The upcoming stretch is not as daunting as the 49ers’ second half of the season.
The next five games: at New York Jets (0-1), at New York Giants (0-1), vs. Philadelphia Eagles (0-1), vs. Miami Dolphins (0-1) and vs. Los Angeles Rams (1-0). Only one of those five opponents made the playoffs last season (Eagles), and only one won its opener Sunday (Rams).
Sunday’s road debut could offer the NFL debut
of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, a first-round draft pick who was inactive Week 1 because of an Aug. 23 hamstring strain. Center Ben Garland (ankle) also might suit up after the 49ers were forced to start practice-squad veteran Hroniss Grasu against the Cardinals.
Kittle is “battling” and “fully expects to be there Sunday,” said Shanahan, noting he and the medical staff will have to see how the All-Pro tight end fares through the week but that he could play even with no practice.