Mullens to start for Garoppolo.
SANTA CLARA >> When Nick Mullens makes his second straight start for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers will offer new targets this time around, with George Kittle and Deebo Samuel suiting up for Sunday night’s visit by the Philadelphia Eagles.
”It adds some excitement, that I can get the ball in those guys’ hands,” Mullens said Friday. “George and Deebo bring great en
ergy, they’re leaders and help a lot. They’re very fast, physical, have a great mindset and we’re pumped to have them out there.”
Samuel’s surgically repaired left foot has responded well to his first practices this week since the 49ers’ Super Bowl preparations eight months ago. Coach Kyle Shanahan will limit Samuel’s debut, however, citing the NFL’s widespread array of injuries tracing back to limited offseason workouts.
“We’ve got to be smart with him. I know he’ll be out there but it won’t be his normal role, that’s for sure,” Shanahan said.
Samuel still must be activated off injured reserve by today at 1 p.m. to face the Eagles, and Shanahan said a corresponding roster move will either be the IR designations for defensive end Dee Ford and tight end Jordan Reed.
Kittle missed the past two games — wins
over the Jets and Giants — because of a left knee injury. Of his five touchdown catches last season, he scored in four primetime games.
“It’s great getting Kittle back. We were close last week,” Shanahan said. “It excites guys a lot. Having Deebo back out there too, you could feel it on Wednesday. Deebo has a personality everybody gravitates to. It was fun having him out there this week. You could feel a different vibe.”
Kittle agreed, saying T hursday: “When you bring Deebo back into that (wide receiver) mix, it’s going to be exciting to watch them groove together, from their dances to their celebrations to the excitement they bring, they’re going to be on it and I’m looking forward to it.”
Garoppolo has not practiced since spraining his right ankle in what was a gutsy first-half effort Sept. 20, sparking a rout of the New York Jets. “If Jimmy could have played this week, he’d be out there,” Shanahan said.
Also out are running back Raheem Mostert, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Ahkello Witherspoon. Nickel back K’Waun WIlliams ( hip) is questionable, so the 49ers signed Jamar Taylor to their practice squad in case they need to elevate
him Saturday.
Helping out the 49ers’ injur y- battered cornerba ck cor ps (a nd pa ss rush) is the fact the Eagles are missing multiple targets. Wide receivers DeSean Jackson and A lshon Jeffrey are out, a nd St a nford produc t J. J. Arcega-Whiteside is doubtful. The Eagles put Jalen Reagor and Dallas Goedert on injured reserve earlier this week.
One injury-prone 49er likes where he’s at now, that being cornerback Jason Verrett, who will start a second straight game Sunday. “I worked my tail off to get back out there,” Verrett said. “To the 49ers organization, from top to bottom, having faith in me, the training staff to make sure my body is right, I’m happy to be out there and look forward to the rest of the season.”
Here are the official status reports, starting with the 49ers:
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle): OUT
Could return next Sunday against the Miami Dolphins if he practices ef fectively nex t week. RB R a he em Mo s t er t (knee): OUT
This marks the second straight game he will miss because of a knee sprain that, like Garoppolo, forced him out at halftime of the Week 2 win over the Jets. He has not practiced since then but has been seen doing conditional sprints on the side.
RB Jerick McKinnon (ribs): IN
Last Sunday’s starter overcame a fourth- quarter rib injury and practiced in full all week. He has scored in each game this season. WR Samuel (foot): IN Shanahan said Samuel indeed will come off injured reserve and make his season debut.
TE Kittle (knee): IN He said he could have played through his Week 1 knee sprain and bruise but sided with cautious coach Kyle Shanahan to sit out the past two games. He practiced in full all week after limited action last week.
TE Jordan Reed ( knee): OUT
The 49ers will put Reed on injured reserve as his knee sprain requires up to two months recovery, Shanahan has said.
DE Dee Ford ( back): OUT
Not only will he miss his third straight game, he will be out at least another three weeks as he is slated to go on injured reserve. Is this a career-threatening issue?
“(Retirement) is not being discussed. I don’t want to say something strong that people blow up,” Shanahan said. “When you’re dealing with a back, ever y thing is a concern.
That’s why we’re playing it slow. I think he’s doing better than a couple weeks ago. It’s something we have to be smart with and can’t risk things when dealing with that part of the body.”
CB Emmanuel Moseley (concussion): OUT
His first-half concussion last Sunday kept him out of practices all week but he did do side work Thursday in a positive sign.
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring): OUT
Last week’s hamstring injury kept him out of uniform against the Giants and limited him in Thursday’s practice.
CB K’Waun Williams (hip): QUESTIONABLE
He did not practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday. The 49ers signed Jamar Taylor to the practice squad and he could be elevated Saturday as a potential replacement at nickel back.
LB Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps): OUT
He will miss his second consecutive game but was seen rehabilitating on the side and could return next Sunday’s game. EAGLES
OUT
WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring)
WR Alshon Jeffrey (foot) CB Avante Maddox (ankle)
CB Trevor Williams (rib) DOUBTFUL
WR J. J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf) QUESTIONABLE LT Jason Peters (foot)