The San Francisco 49ers fell to 5-7 following a Monday-night loss to the Buffalo Bills. The climb into the playoff picture gets steeper, but general manager John Lynch feels optimistic about the return of two key players.
"I talked to general manager John Lynch before the game, and he told me that Jimmy Garoppolo and George Kittle both had very good workouts today," said Lisa Salters during the ESPN broadcast. "Remember, Kyle Shanahan told us that both guys were making really good progress, and John Lynch said that after seeing them today, they gave him even more reason to be optimistic about them being able to return before the end of the regular season.
"He said several players worked out on the practice field this afternoon. Garoppolo and Kittle, though, looked the best."
Garoppolo is recovering from a high-ankle sprain, while Kittle is recovering from a break in his foot's cuboid bone.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Lynch's comments and if it means Garoppolo and Kittle are ahead of schedule in their recoveries.
"No, that's just him answering a question, probably," Shanahan responded. "I mean, those guys are working their tails off right now, but they're still part of the rehab, just trying to get back and be a part of this. But it's not anytime soon, right now."
San Francisco has four more games remaining on its schedule. It will "host" the Washington Football Team at State Farm Stadium during the upcoming weekend. The team will then travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys before returning to State Farm Stadium as the road team against the Arizona Cardinals.
The 49ers finish the season by hosting the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium or State Farm Stadium, depending on Santa Clara County restrictions.