49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a few injury updates after Thursday’s practice. Shanahan spoke more about who would play on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, too.
Kid Shanahan already said Jimmy Garoppolo would play one series. He added that all of the starters would come off the field with Jimmy G, so the dream that Trey Lance would play behind the starting offensive line for a series is over before it started.
Shanahan said that he anticipates Lance playing 30 snaps on Saturday: “I’m excited to see him play like everyone else is.” Shanahan joked that Lance would make the team, so he doesn’t have to go out there and worry about making mistakes.
If Lance doesn’t get 30 plays, Shanahan said he’ll play the first series of the second half. When asked what he wants to see out of the rookie, Kyle said he wants Lance to take command of the huddle and see how he responds to simple things like dealing with the play clock.
Shanahan spoke about how he has to remember that Lance recently turned 21: “The first time I talked to him, I was going to offer him a beer and then realized I’d be supplying a minor.”
Dee Ford and Jalen Hurd will not play Saturday, though Shanahan said he was impressed with Hurd’s recent play. Hurd caught three passes during Thursday’s practice, including two during a two-minute drill.
Shanahan said that he didn’t mean to come off as harsh as he did towards Hurd earlier this week, but he was trying to paint a picture of how hard it is to make the team if Hurd’s hurt and other receivers are healthy: “it’s really hard to keep seven receivers.”
Arik Armstead won’t play, either. In addition to Nick Bosa, I’d be surprised if we saw any key defenders such as Javon Kinlaw or any other players who are suffering injuries.’
Shanahan wouldn’t name which starters would sit out on Saturday but said there would be multiple starters that don’t dress.
K’Wuan Williams and Arden Key did not practice Thursday. During Wednesday’s practice, Williams suffered a “friendly fire” hit from Dre Greenlaw and has a sore hip. Shanahan said K’Wuan could have played if it were a game. We probably won’t see Williams In K’Wuan’s place, B.W. Webb filled in at slot cornerback.
Arden Key has a slight quad contusion, per Shanahan. He said it’s “not a big deal,” and Key “should be out there in the next couple of days.”
Players who didn’t practice on Thursday:
- CB K’Waun Williams
- EDGE Nick Bosa
- EDGE Arden Key
- DT Javon Kinlaw
- LB Azeez Al-Shaair
- LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
- TE Mycole Pruitt
- EDGE Samson Ebukam
