Kittle won’t play against Jets
George Kittle’s knee must really be hurting.
The 49ers ruled out their AllPro tight end for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets because of a sprained knee he sustained in a seasonopening loss to Arizona.
Kittle played through the injury against the Cardinals, missing only one snap, but he didn’t practice this week. Kittle has played in 46 of 49 career games despite appearing on the injury report with injuries to nine different body parts.
“I think if he was a normal person we would have ruled him out earlier in the week,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “But we never do that with George just because of what he’s shown us here over these three years with him.”
Kittle’s absence figures to result in more snaps for former Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Reed, 30, who had two catches for 12 yards while playing just 10 snaps in his 49ers debut Sunday. Reed, who was signed before training camp, didn’t play in 2019 after suffering his seventh documented concussion, and he’s missed 28 of his past 42 games due to injuries.
The 49ers have eased him back into action — Reed didn’t participate in the first part of training camp — and Shanahan indicated the workload Sunday would be shared between Reed, Ross Dwelley and rookie Charlie Woerner.
“We were going to build up a little more this week (and) it doesn’t change much with George out,” Shanahan said. “I mean, I can give him a couple more opportunities. But we still have our other two tight ends out there. …
“I feel good with him. He’s getting better each week, getting healthier and getting more confident with what he’s doing in our offense.”
Ford questionable: Pass rusher Dee Ford had an MRI on Thursday after dealing with neck spasms and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. Ford was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice before missing the final two sessions.
“I know today he came in with some (spasms),” Shanahan said Friday. “So I know he’s meeting with the (medical staff ) and trying to make sure it’s safe and everything. So that’s why (he’s) questionable. We don’t have much more than that. … We’re just trying to play it slow here and see how it goes for the next two days.”
Kerry Hyder would assume Ford’s starting spot if he is sidelined Sunday, but the 49ers lack defensive end depth. Pass rusher Dion Jordan is on the practice squad.
In other injury news, cornerback Jason Verrett (hamstring) was ruled out of Sunday’s game and the 49ers placed wide receiver Richie James (hamstring) on injured reserve. James can return in Week 5.
The 49ers officially signed wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who passed coronavirus testing and participated in his first practice Friday. Shanahan indicated he would play Sanu if the 49ers decide to have five wide receivers on their active roster instead of promoting a wideout from the practice squad.
“If we go with five (wideouts), I won’t hesitate to have him out there,” Shanahan said. “And I know he’ll be ready.”
Witherspoon to start: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon cleared the concussion protocol and will be available to replace Richard Sherman against the Jets.
Meanwhile, the Jets won’t have their top wide receiver,
Jamison Crowder, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Crowder leads the Jets in catches (85), receiving yards (948) and touchdown receptions (seven) since 2018.
Crowder had seven catches for 115 yards, including a 69yard touchdown reception, in New York’s 2717 loss to the Bills on Sunday. The Jets’ other receivers combined for four catches and 17 yards.
Highfive for front five: General manager John Lynch praised thirdstring center Hroniss Grasu and the rest of the offensive line for their performance against the Cardinals.
The 49ers allowed three sacks, but one came when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ducked when he felt phantom pressure and was eventually taken down by defensive end Chandler Jones. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey blocked Jones for about five seconds on the play.
“I really thought the Oline, in general, the protection was pretty good,” Lynch said on KNBR. “I think some of the sack issues were kind of holding on to the ball. I know Jimmy spoke to that. We’ll address that.”