COVID list is upending 49ers’ practice plans
The injuryriddled 49ers expected to return from their bye this week bolstered by the return of several sidelined players.
Instead, they had fewer players available to practice Wednesday than they did before they took a week off.
Surprised? Running back Jerick McKinnon sounded as if he was expecting such a development after all the attrition and adversity that has marked the 49ers’ 46 start.
“That’s the 2020 season for you,” McKinnon said.
The 49ers practiced without seven players who were placed on the reserve/COVID19 list during their bye. The group: Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams, their two firstround picks, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, nose tackle D.J. Jones, defensive end Jordan Willis, linebacker Joe Walker and tight end Daniel Helm, who is on the practice squad.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said “a number” of those players “probably” wouldn’t be able to play when the 49ers visit the Rams on Sunday.
“We’ve got to wait and see,” Shanahan said of the chance
all seven players could be available before kickoff. “I’m not counting on it, but I’m hoping.”
The 49ers removed defensive lineman Arik Armstead and center Hroniss Grasu from the COVID list Wednesday. Armstead was placed on the list Nov. 16, a day after the 49ers returned home from a loss in New Orleans.
Shanahan said on Nov. 17 that he expected more players to be added to the list because they had been highrisk close contacts with Armstead.
However, Williams isn’t among that group. Williams told ESPN that he tested positive for the coronavirus last week and is in a highrisk category because he’s a cancer survivor. Williams said he was feeling fine, but it’s not known if he has experienced symptoms.
Players who have tested positive and have symptoms can’t return until 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared. Williams was placed on the list Friday.
“I know he’s just trying to get healthy and get back as soon as he can,” Shanahan said.
Williams was on the COVID list for the 49ers’ 3417 loss to the Packers on Nov. 5 because he was a close contact with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. Williams was replaced by Justin Skule, who allowed a pressure and a sack that resulted in two turnovers and 10 points for Green Bay.
Shanahan’s more immediate concern Wednesday was figuring out how to distribute practice reps. For example, the 49ers have four defensive linemen on the practice squad and a few could be promoted for Sunday’s game if Kinlaw, Jones and Willis aren’t available. Shanahan is wary of giving the practicesquad players their typical heavy workload this week in case they are needed against the Rams.
“We’ve got to be smart with the practicesquad guys … because if those guys don’t come back, those guys are going to be the guys playing in the game,” Shanahan said. “So we’re doing the same type of schedule, but we’ve got to move players around and play some guys at different positions just to get through the practice.”
In a season played during a pandemic, players have learned to anticipate such situations. And the 49ers have become particularly adept at accepting the latest challenge.
“It’s the new normal,” McKinnon said. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had someone test (positive) for COVID. … We’ve been through similar situations throughout the season and it’s no different from a guy getting injured. The next guy has to step in and fill that role.”