49ers’ Reed could miss two months.
Often-hurt tight end heads to the short-term IR list
SANTA CLARA >> Another knee injury will rob the 49ers of another weapon after tight end Jordan Reed got hurt during Sunday’s 39-6 victory over the New York Giants.
Reed, 30, might need up to two months to recover, the team said. The 49er will place Reed on the injured reserve list with the expectation that he will return this season, his first with the 49ers after injuries plagued his previous tenure at Washington.
“I know he’s disappointed but not discouraged,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He was liking where he’s at. It’ll take some time, and they’re saying six to eight weeks.”
Reed spent last season on injured reserve after sustaining his seventh documented concussion since college. He caught 2 of 6 passes Sunday before exiting. Ross Dwelley filled in well as both a receiver and blocker after Reed’s de
parture.
“He’ll hit his rehab hard, and hopefully we can weather the storm while he’s gone and he’ll come back to a good team,” Shanahan said.
Reed was placed on the injured reserve list four times in seven seasons with Washington, including the past three and his rookie year in 2013.
Stepping up in place of the injured George Kittle, Reed had two touchdowns in the 49ers’ Week 2 road victory over the New York Jets. After suffering an ankle injury Sunday against the Giants, Reed returned only to hurt his knee while attempting a catch. He sat out the second half of the game.
Kittle suffered a knee sprain in the 49ers’ season- opening defeat and missed the victories over the Jets and Giants. The 49ers will evaluate him Wednesday for a possible return this week, the team said.
Also sustaining knee injuries this season were defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas ( both with anterior cruciate ligament tears) and running backs Raheem
Mostert and Tevin Coleman. Coleman went on injured reserve last week.
“It’s a very violent sport so there is a lot of turnover,” Shanahan said. “I do feel we’ve had more (injuries) than usual this year.” DEEBO RETURNING >> Wide receiver Deebo Samuel will practice Wednesday for the first time this season, Shanahan said. Needing more time to recover from foot surgery in June, Samuel went on injured reserve just before the season opener. He is eligible to be activated for Sunday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I know he’s pumped to practice. He’s pumped to play,” Shanahan said. “We’ll see how he does in those three days and evaluate him at the end of the week.” GAROPPOLO STATUS >> The 49ers will wait until Wednesday to see if quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is able to practice for the first time since a right-ankle sprain forced him out at halftime of the victory over the Jets.
“I know he’s doing a lot better now than he was last week,” Shanahan said. “I know he needs the next two days to rehab, then we’ll evaluate it.” Starting in place of Garoppolo against the Giants, Nick Mullens passed for 343 yards and a touchdown in the victory over
the Giants.
DEE FORD OUT >> Defensive end Dee Ford will miss his third consecutive game because of a back injury, and the team will consider if he should go on injured reserve, Shanahan said.
Linebackers Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps) and Mark Nzeocha (quadriceps) also are expected out this week, and Nzeocha likely is heading for injured reserve. Cornerbacks K’Waun Williams ( hip) and Ahkello Witherspoon ( hamstring) will be evaluated before Wednesday’s practice, along with running backs Jerick McKinnon (ribs) and Mostert, who missed the last game.
SNAPPER AUDITIONS >> The 49ers will audition long snappers in the coming days. Kyle Nelson met with Shanahan and apologized for multiple off-target snaps that led to his benching before the 49ers’ final point-after attempt.
“I know how down he is and how down he was,” Shanahan said. “He came up to me and apologized. It was an unfortunate game for him. He’s had a great career, and I’ve loved having him over the three years. I just told him fortunately it didn’t cost us anything.
“He understands this business. We’ll bring guys in to work out and decide what’s best for us.”