Shanahan: 49ers Aaron Banks to miss a few weeks with turf toe injury

Oct 30, 2023, 4:10 PM | Updated: 4:21 pm

Aaron Banks #65 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines against the Seattle Seahawks...

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Coming off the 49ers’ third-straight loss of the season, coach Kyle Shanahan did not deliver good news Monday. The San Francisco 49ers head coach announced that left guard Aaron Banks suffered a turf toe injury and will be out for at least a few weeks.

The big man suffered the injury on the second to last drive of Week 8, only reporting the injury after the game. While the timeline varies a bit on hyperextended toes, Banks will likely miss at least two games after the 49ers’ Bye week.

“They told me it should be a few weeks is what I got here. So, I know that’s a little vague. But I would say that means at least three weeks,” Kyle Shanahan said via conference call Monday.

Banks has been a staple on the offensive line since the start of last season. After coming on strong in Year 1 as a starter, he has regressed a bit this season, sporting a 48.5 Pro Football Focus grade.

#49ers injury updates from KS

LB Dre Greenlaw (shoulder) strain day to day
LG Aaron Banks (turf toe) will miss a few weeks
LT Trent Willliams (ankle) Hopefully ready for practice next Monday when they resume

QB Brock Purdy OK despite scary-looking landing late in game

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 30, 2023

Meanwhile, left tackle Trent Williams is nearing a return to the field, looking to have him back at the start of practice next Monday after the Bye week. He has missed the last two games with an ankle sprain.

Shanahan also revealed that linebacker Dre Greenlaw has a shoulder sprain, and is listed as day-to-day. While he is not expected to miss any time, Greenlaw has been laboring through injuries this season, most recently missing Week 6 with a hamstring strain. He, along with the rest of the 49ers veterans, are a little worse for wear after the first part of the regular season, with the tape from Sunday showing that fully to Shanahan.

“What sticks out the most [on tape] is how slow and tired we looked,” the coach stated. “And when that does happen I think it leads to bigger holes, I think it leads to more mistakes, I think it leads to missed tackles. I could see on tape a different type of energy that was disappointing, but I also know that they need this rest, that showed the most.”

The 49ers have more problems than just injuries and fatigue though, losing three straight going into the bye week. A big reason for that is the defense, giving up 400 or more yards in back-to-back contests.

Many have placed the blame on defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and his approach to calling the plays from the booth. The 49ers have had their DC on the sidelines for many years before Wilks, with both Robert Saleh and DeMeco Ryans doing so.

Because of past success, the 49ers will consider switching back to old habits after the bye, but only if Wilks wants to.

“We’ll discuss this week, just the two of us. If he feels it will help him, it’s something we’ll try. But we haven’t done that yet,” Shanahan said.

The Red & Gold may also look to add pieces with the trade deadline set to hit Tuesday at 1 p.m. Pacific. San Francisco has remained active in pursuit of additional talent, but only at the right price.

Because of that, the team may have few options to consider this late in the window. But Kyle Shanahan hasn’t ruled out a big move entirely yet, as the 49ers’ front office continues to make calls.

“I know [49ers general manager John Lynch] has been working on that for the last month. Talking with everyone, as everyone does…Doesn’t sound like there’s a lot of options. Doesn’t mean for sure no. We’ll look all the way up to the deadline,” the coach stated.