Kyle Shanahan hopeful Dre Greenlaw, Aaron Banks play in Wild Card game
Jan 9, 2023, 11:01 AM | Updated: Jan 10, 2023, 8:57 am
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Heading into the postseason, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to get even healthier, according to Kyle Shanahan.
The 49ers’ head coach announced Monday that linebacker Dre Greenlaw and left guard Aaron Banks are expected to return to practice this week after missing Week 18 due to injuries. San Francisco is hopeful both players can suit up for round one of the playoffs, facing the Seattle Seahawks at home Saturday.
“Coming back this week: Aaron Banks and [Dre] Greenlaw,” Shanahan said, via conference call Monday. “Hopefully we’ll get them back at practice at some point this week.”
Dre Greenlaw suffered a back injury in the third quarter of Week 17 in Las Vegas. Down on the field for some time, Greenlaw was able to jog off the field before returning on the next play for the Niners. He was then taken out of the contest altogether, showing signs of tightness in his back. Missing all of practice last week, his return in the postseason seems likely.
A similar scenario for Aaron Banks, suffering a knee sprain that kept him off the field for the regular-season finale. Banks got some work off to the side of practice last week, with the team being cautious by holding him out for Week 18. Swing lineman Daniel Brunskill filled in for Banks, doing well against the Arizona Cardinals.
The #49ers seem optimistic Dre Greenlaw (back) and Aaron Banks (knee, ankle) will be available to return to practice this week.
DT Kevin Givens (knee) is cleared and should be able to return to action Saturday against the Seahawks.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) January 9, 2023
The 49ers also announced that defensive tackle Kevin Givens (knee) is “good to go” for wild-card weekend against the Seahawks. He has been off the field since Week 14.
The Red & Gold are also pleased with the results of Week 18, including the play of wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Elijah Mitchell.
Both players returned to the field against the Cardinals, combining for seven touches, 75 yards, and two touchdowns on the day. Samuel has been battling ankle and knee injuries since Week 14, while Mitchell suffered a second MCL sprain in Week 12 this season.
“They came out great,” Kyle Shanahan said. “They came out healthy, which was very important, and with them being able to come out healthy, I thought it was great that they both got to play. Get back in there and I think it’ll help them going into the week.”
The 49ers will need both men to suit up for the playoffs, facing their longtime rivals, the Seattle Seahawks, to open the postseason.
Despite going undefeated in divisional games for the first time since 1997, San Francisco is looking at this week’s clash as a whole new game. It’s not about what they’ve done in the past, it’s about going 1-0 each week of the postseason.
“I don’t really look at it as you have to beat someone three times. I look at it as we’ve got to beat them on Saturday,” Shanahan added Monday. “Teams know each other pretty well. You don’t get to surprise teams that much in situations like this, but that’s how it’s been with us and Seattle for a number of years. Usually every time we play, it comes down to the wire, usually that last possession. And that’s what we’re working on [being] ready to fight for.”
