49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday delivered a bit of positive news on the injury front. Tight end George Kittle, who has been on Injured Reserve since he broke his foot in Week 8, could return to practice in the team’s lead-up to Week 15. Shanahan was less optimistic about Jimmy Garoppolo making an appearance in practice while he works his way back from a bad high ankle sprain he also suffered in Week 8.
Shanahan said the team is hopeful to open Kittle’s practice window before Week 15 to start getting him some work before the year ends, but ruled out Garoppolo getting back at the same time.
“Jimmy won’t be back this week for practice. I’m hoping to get Kittle into practice a little bit this week,” Shanahan said. “We’ll see about Jimmy, if he’s ready for some practice the following week, but I think this week just, we have a chance of Kittle for practice and that’s it.”
This was always the plan for San Francisco. Shanahan throughout Garoppolo and Kittle’s recoveries has indicated they could possibly return for the final couple weeks.
With the 49ers all but out of the playoff hunt, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them get both players in practice to get reps, but they could decided to keep them on IR for the rest of the year and ensure they’re both healthy going into next season.
On the other hand, if San Francisco knocks off the Cowboys and they get some help from the rest of their schedule, having Kittle and possibly Garoppolo for the final game or two could be crucial.
With only three weeks left in the season, there’s no harm in opening Kittle’s 21-day practice window. If he’s unable to return, he simply reverts back to IR as the season ends. If he does make it back, the 49ers will be happy to have one of their top offensive weapons on the field.