Taylor put on injured list, could return in November
SANTA CLARA >> Trent Taylor won’t be seen among the 49ers wide receiver corps until mid-November, at the earliest, after getting placed Friday on injured reserve.
“The way I’ll keep working, I’m confident I’ll come back as a difference maker,” Taylor said.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers intend to designate Taylor as one of their two allowable shortterm IR players, so he could return to practice in six weeks (ahead of an Oct. 31 visit to Arizona) and play in a game as early as Nov. 17 against the Cardinals.
Taylor, out the first two games because of Aug. 9 foot surgery, was deemed expendable so the 49ers could use his roster spot on a backup offensive tackle, Sam Young, whom Shanahan said likely will not be active for Sunday’s home opener.
Taylor had “too many flare ups” in his recovery regarding soft-tissue soreness, said Shanahan, noting that Taylor had “the best camp” of any offensive player. On Taylor’s final play of training camp, he caught a touchdown pass from Jimmy Garoppolo.
“Nothing happened on the play, but (the right foot) continued to bother me through camp, and I decided to have it looked at,” Taylor said.
Tight end George Kittle, Taylor’s closest friend on the team, also said Taylor had the best training camp on offense. “When you lose one piece of the puzzle, it hurts, but we’ve got others stepping up now,” Kittle said. “Now, with more time, he’ll come back better than 110 percent.”
Taylor underwent surgery on a Jones’ fracture Aug. 9. He closed his 2017 rookie season as one of Jimmy Garoppolo’s most trusted targets, but offseason back surgery last summer hindered his 2018 production.
Richie James has filled Taylor’s role as the slot receiver in multiple-receiver sets. James has caught just one pass in each game, but that included a 39-yard touchdown reception in the season opener and Jimmy Garoppolo seems to have encouraging chemistry with the 5-foot-9, secondyear receiver.
Jalen Hurd also figures to play as an inside, slot receiver once he’s cleared from an unspecified back injury that’s sidelined him the past month.
The 49ers had been carrying seven wide receivers on their 53-man roster, a surplus that proved too bloated amid recent injuries at other positions. FOUR RULED OUT >> As expected, the 49ers ruled out Joe Staley (fibula), Hurd (back) and running back Tevin Coleman (ankle). Shanahan said the 49ers are still planning on Coleman and Hurd to return after next week’s bye. Listed as questionable are defensive ends Nick Bosa and Dee Ford, and safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward.
Ford took part in Friday’s practice but missed the previous two days because of a persisting knee issue. Shanahan said Ford’s knee tendinitis flared up last week. Ford did not miss a game in his Chiefs tenure because of the chronic condition.
Ward said the medical staff ultimately will determine when he can make his season debut. He practiced the past two weeks with a cast over his surgically repaired his right ring finger. KITTLE’S MENTALITY >> Kittle is coming off a careerbest game in terms of his blocking and physicality. He was credited with six knockdowns, and with four coming in the first two series, he made sure tight ends coach Jon Embree was keeping track.
“I judge myself on how
well I do in the run game,” Kittle said. “Anytime you get someone on the ground, it counts. I think we had 10 as a tight end group. Not bad at all.”
Kittle remains the 49ers leading receiver with 11 catches for 108 yards, and while he has a team-high 13 targets, nine other 49ers have at least one reception.
“We’re going to keep spreading the ball around, and I love that,” Kittle said. “If teams want to focus on me, that’s great. We have guys that can step up and make plays. It was really fun to see, especially last week.”
Kittle appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” this week, and even though the 49ers are 2-0, he said there is no complacency, that the 49ers are just as hurt and hungry as the Steelers (02). “I know we’re going to get their best shot, and they’re goign to get ours as well,” Kittle said. “We’re going to come out and definitely be swinging.” YOUNG’S RETURN >> Young, a 10th-year veteran, resigned on a one-year deal. He originally joined the 49ers on Aug. 12 following a season-ending injury to backup tackle Shon Coleman but Young was among the 49ers cuts Aug. 30.
Young figures to back up rookie Justin Skule on Sunday. But if Young is inactive, then Daniel Brunskill could suit up for the first time. Skule replaces Staley, who is out six to eight weeks.
STEELERS RULE OUT TRIO >> Fullback Roosevelt Nix (knee), linebacker Vince Williams (hamstring) and linebacker Anthony Chickillo (foot) will not play for the Steelers. Nix is their special teams captain.