Kyle Shanahan Says Kittle is Back at Practice; Confirms Trey Lance is OUT for the Season

Wednesday’s press conference from 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan delivered some good news for the 49ers: Tight end George Kittle would be practicing in a limited fashion Wednesday.

The pro bowl TE has been held out of the team’s first two games of the season, sustaining a groin injury over two weeks ago. Kittle suited up for practice for the first time since the injury Friday, leaving the door open for a potential return in the home opener.

That was not the case.

Instead, he has been given more time to recover, eyeing his season debut Sunday night in Denver.

“Yeah, he was close, that’s why we took it that far,” Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “But, obviously he wasn’t able to go and I’m glad we didn’t because I think he could have got through the game, but there was going to be a higher risk of him reinjuring that. To be able to pull that game off and still get a win, I’m very glad with the decision we made and that should give him a much better chance to be good to go this week.”

Joining him on the injury report is defensive tackle Arik Armstead (foot), guard Daniel Brunskill (hamstring), running back Ty Davis-Price (ankle), tight end Tyler Kroft (knee) and left tackle Trent Williams (rest). Both Armstead and Williams are on the list due to maintenance-related concerns and will suit up against the Broncos.

“He’ll be alright,” Shanahan added about Armstead.

Wednesday’s presser also gave us an update on quarterback Trey Lance, after undergoing successful surgery to repair his broken right ankle Monday morning.

There had been speculation that Lance could potentially return to the field before the end of the 2022 season if his ankle heals properly. This notion was quickly put to bed by Shanahan, stating he will be out until next season and that his spirts are high at the moment.

#49ers Talanoa Hufanga visits Trey Lance in the hospital 🙏 pic.twitter.com/t1nrXIa2PP

— 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙎𝙁𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 (@TheSFNiners) September 20, 2022

“He’s doing as good as you can, Trey has been great. A number of guys have talked to him a bunch and he’s trying to come to the game this week. I don’t think he’ll be able to until the swelling goes down and stuff like that, but he’ll be back and part of us sooner than later,” Shanahan stated.

Lance was put on the season-ending IR list Wednesday.

As for the new (old I guess) starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo, he has a tall task ahead of him after spending most of the offseason and training camp without a team. The veteran has been recovering from shoulder surgery in March but is now back under the spotlight for the Red & Gold following Lance’s season-ending injury.

Some might not be up to the task, but not Jimmy G, according to Shanahan. He’s been exactly the same through the whole process, one of the main reasons, the team and coaching staff, brought him back in the first place.

The man of the hour: Jimmy G greeting the Faithful after leading the #49ers to their first win of the regular season. pic.twitter.com/dBR384ktL4

— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) September 18, 2022

“That’s how Jimmy is,” Shanahan said. “He tries to simplify things and not get caught up in all that stuff and just tries to communicate with us., we communicate with him and [I] think that’s why our guys love him and why we all do. So he’s been that way since beginning.”

The team also announced a few roster moves Wednesday, elevating RB Marlon Mack to the main roster, while adding QB Kurt Benkert and RB Tevin Coleman to the practice squad. Cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. was also released, the team announced.

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