Kyle Shanahan provides no updates on 49ers injuries from Week 16

Dec 26, 2023, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:28 am

Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the fourth quarter against the ...

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San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Not only did the San Francisco 49ers lose their Christmas night clash with the Baltimore Ravens, they also lost a few players to the injury bug. And unfortunately, it’s too soon to say what their statuses is, according to Kyle Shanahan.

The 49ers coach couldn’t provide an update on any injuries sustained Week 16 Tuesday. Those players include left tackle Trent Williams (groin), quarterback Brock Purdy (stinger), cornerback Ambry Thomas (hamstring) and left guard Aaron Banks (toe) among others. The most concerning ailments are to both offensive linemen, vital cogs of the protection for Purdy.

Kyle Shanahan did reveal status updates for players that missed the game Monday night.

Arik Armstead is one of those players, still to be determined on a return due to his foot and knee injuries. The defensive tackle has missed the last three games. He also missed half of the 2022 season with a similar foot injury.

Meanwhile, tight end Ross Dwelley could return to practice this week. The pass-catcher has been out of the lineup due to a high-ankle sprain.

Shanahan also expects linebacker Oren Burks and running back Elijah Mitchell to be full go Wednesday. The former has missed the last two games with a knee injury, while the latter has been in and out of action, also due to a knee issue.

#49ers DL Arik Armstead is still in same situation with foot and knee going into this week.

RB Elijah Mitchell should be full go this week. The hope is TE Ross Dwelley and LB Oren Burks are back to practice this week.

WR Jauan Jennings is still in concussion protocol.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 26, 2023

Shanahan feels most Purdy picks were unfortunate

Not more than 24 hours after the devasting loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Kyle Shanahan has had time to review the tape. And after watching it, he stands by his quarterback on most of his turnovers.

The 49ers coach feels that Brock Purdy’s biggest mistake came on the opening-drive interception in the end zone. Shanahan was critical of the mistake postgame and Tuesday, but does understand where Purdy was coming from on the throw.

“Yeah, I get what he saw there,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “There was some space that flashed and he just reacted and let it rip. He was probably feeling pretty good after the first few plays and that he could squeeze it in there, but he can’t versus that coverage. So, that was the wrong decision and looking at all the other [INTs], real unfortunate plays.”

As for his QB’s other three INTS: He chalks those up to be unfortunate.

Two of Purdy’s four picks were tipped, bouncing around before falling in the hands of the opposition. The final one was a protection pick, with Purdy hit as he threw the football.

Of course, the 49ers don’t expect their young gunslinger to make so many mistakes on one night, but Shahahan is more than confident Purdy will bounce back accordingly.