Kittle comeback still a possibility
Tight end George Kittle is on pace to play Saturday when the 49ers, despite being eliminated from playoff contention, play the host Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Kittle has been out since sustaining a Nov. 1 foot fracture in Seattle.
His return would coincide with that of his former Iowa quarterback, C. J. Beathard, who will start for the first time in two years — that last start also coming against the Cardinals in Arizona (an 18-15, last-minute loss on Oct. 28, 2018).
Beathard takes over in place of Nick Mullens, who sustained an elbow injury in Sunday’s loss at Dallas and likely will require Tommy John reconstruction surgery, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Also ruled out the remaining two games are running back Raheem Mostert (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring).
Why play Kittle when the 49ers (5- 9) have been eliminated?
“If he’s healthy I don’t see the reason why not to. Same with every other player on our roster,” Shanahan said. “We’d never ask him to play injured. Most of the soreness is going away. We’ll definitely test it again.
“If he’s 100 percent healthy, how do you sit one guy and look in the eye of everyone else on the team? There’s a respect level players have toward each other.”
Linebacker Fred Warner concurred and said the 49ers’ medical staff has done well in not rushing players back from injury, even though the team has used a franchise record 70 players this season.
“They’re not going to put George on the field unless he’s 100 percent healthy and ready to compete at the same level before he got hurt,” Warner said. “I know George as a person and as a player. He wants to go out there and compete with us whenever he can.
“All that other talk about not making the playoffs or sitting him, I don’t know that. If you’re healthy and a veteran, you’re going to want to compete.” RUNNING BACK OPTIONS » Mostert’s aggravated ankle sprain ends his season with 521 rushing yards and two touchdowns in eight starts, half of which he was unable to finish.
The 49ers likely will start Jeff Wilson Jr. against the Cardinals, after Shanahan said Wilson emerged healthy enough last game despite ankle and hamstring concerns. Tevin Coleman and Jerick McK
“If he’s healthy I don’t see the reason why not to. Same with every other player on our roster. We’d never ask him to play injured. Most of the soreness is going away. We’ll definitely test it again.” — Kyle Shanahan, 49ers head coach, on George Kittle playing in final two games this season
innon are available in relief. Austin Walter is eligible to come off COVID-19 reserve by kickoff but Shanahan doubts his availability.
SHERMAN DONE? » Cornerback Richard Sherman’s calf soreness has called into question whether he’ll return this season. He missed nine games this season because of a calf issue, and this could mark the end of his threeyear tenure. He is slated for free agency and has said it would require a “miracle” for the 49ers to find space to sign him.
OTHER INJURIES » Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has a knee issue and is listed as “day to day,” Shanahan said. That is also the case for Tarvarius Moore ( knee) while fellow safety Jimmie Ward is in the concussion protocol.
Limited at practice will be wide receiver Richie James Jr. (ankle) and center Hroniss Grasu ( knee).