49ers notebook: Dee Ford’s status uncertain as others set to return for playoffs
The 49ers are entering Saturday’s playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings with a chance to be the healthiest they’ve been since the second game of the regular season way back in September.
Linebacker Kwon Alexander (torn pectoral), strong safety Jaquiski Tartt (fractured rib) and right guard Mike Person (neck) will be in the lineup as the team tries to advance to the NFC title game for the first time since the 2013 season.
However, defensive end Dee Ford (hamstring, quadriceps) is listed as questionable — and the 49ers are operating cautiously.
Ford was listed as limited in all three practices this week and seemed poised to return to the lineup for the first time in over a month since he aggravated his hamstring injury Dec. 8 in New Orleans. He was expected to address the media Thursday, but opted for treatment from the training staff during the open locker room period.
It’s unclear if Ford sustained a setback or if his treatment was part of his regular plan leading into the game.
Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers took every precaution by keeping Ford out of the lineup during the final three regular season games while hoping the first-round bye would give him more time to heal.
“We did wait longer. It was more we’re trying to be smarter about it,” said Shanahan of Ford, who left the game against the Saints after just four snaps.
“It’s tough for athletes in these situations. They want to play no matter what.”
Shanahan said Ford entered the Saints game feeling “a little tight” during warmups before he made the injury worse. He’s hoping things can be gleaned from the situation as Ford’s status for Saturday remains up in the air.
“He knows how much we’re counting on him to go out. He’s not going to come up and say, ‘Hey coach, I’m a little tight.’ No one totally knows. He thought he could go,” Shanahan said. “I hope Dee, if he feels that tight, he can come tell me. Now I know from that history of what happened in New Orleans, ‘You’re feeling like that,’ I know what that means. Then we have to make a decision whether we want to make that gamble or not.”
Meanwhile, Tartt and Person were fully cleared and not listed on Thursday’s injury report. Ford and fellow defensive lineman Kentavius Street (knee, questionable) were the only players listed.
If Ford plays, the only starter on defense San Francisco will be without is nose tackle D.J. Jones, who went on injured reserve in early December with a high ankle sprain. He’ll be replaced by veteran Earl Mitchell after he was re-signed Jan. 1. Offensively, the team will be without starting center Weston Richburg, who tore his patellar tendon in against New Orleans on Dec. 8.
Alexander is expected to be activated off injured reserve Friday after sustaining his injury on Halloween in Phoenix. He’ll be the team’s second player, joining Street, to get the return designation off injured reserve. Shanahan wouldn’t say what the corresponding move would be to allow Alexander back to the active roster. Linebacker Elijah Lee, who was promoted from the practice squad after Alexander went down, missed Thursday’s practice with an illness.
While other teams playoff teams have dealt with a litany of injuries in the playoffs, like the Eagles, Saints and Seahawks, the 49ers are in relatively good shape, save for Ford’s status.
They dealt with a slew of short-term injuries throughout the season including tackles Joe Staley (fractured fibula) and Mike McGlinchey (torn meniscus), cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (sprained foot), running back Matt Breida (ankle), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (sprained MCL) and tight end George Kittle (ankle, knee), though all are healthy heading into Shanahan’s first postseason game as a head coach.
It appears the team’s decision to overhaul its training and strength and conditioning staffs has paid off. The team last offseason hired Ben Peterson of the Philadelphia Flyers NHL team to become the head of player health and performance, essentially overseeing both departments. The goal was to create more cohesion between the medical and sports performance sides.
That will look even better Saturday if Ford is able to play and contribute to the team’s formidable pass rush.
Adam Thielen gets stitches on ankle
The Vikings on Thursday listed standout receiver Adam Thielen as questionable to play Thursday after sustaining a laceration to his ankle that required stitches during Wednesday’s practice, as first reported by NFL Network.
Thielen sounded optimistic he’ll be able to play and said during a television interview on the network, “I’ll do whatever it takes to be out there on Saturday with my teammates and try to help this team win.”
Thielen recorded 129 yards on seven catches during the team’s Wild Card upset over the Saints.
Minnesota received better news surrounding its other star receiver, Stefon Diggs. He returned to practice Thursday after missing the previous two sessions because he was sick. He wasn’t listed on the injury report and is expected to suit up. Diggs led the Vikings with 63 catches for 1,130 yards during the regular season.
Otherwise, Minnesota ruled out slot cornerback McKenzie Alexander (knee). Reserve safety Jayron Kearse (toe, knee) is doubtful.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 4:42 PM.