The San Francisco 49ers have ruled out guard Aaron Banks and linebacker Dre Greenlaw for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Banks suffered knee and ankle sprains last weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders. Greenlaw sustained a back injury. Both players will be re-evaluated during the upcoming week.
Neither injury was as severe as initially thought, and both players could return for the playoffs.
"Yeah, I am hopeful [to get Banks back in January]," head coach Kyle Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area. "He's been walking around pretty good and stuff, just throughout the building. We'll see next week, the first round, Wild Card round, but if we don't get him then, hopefully, we take care of business, and we can get him the next week. I know it will be close there, but he's done a hell of a job for us this year."
Daniel Brunskill replaced Banks at left guard against the Raiders. He didn't allow a pressure in 30 pass-blocking snaps.
"I'll know he'll hold down the fort for us while Banks is out, and hopefully, he'll get back as soon as possible," Shanahan noted.
It's a similar situation with Greenlaw. Shanahan was asked if he's hopeful of getting his linebacker back sometime during the playoffs.
"Yeah, I am," Shanahan responded. "He won't be in this week, but very similar to Banks. I think it's a similar situation. It looked scary. We were worried about it. I do think we'll be close. Most likely, able to get him the Wild Card Weekend, and if not, I would for sure think the next weekend if we can handle our business.
"Just like in Banks' situation, the guy behind him is a real good player, and Azeez [Al-Shaair] got to play a ton for us last year. I know we always have all three of them out there in base, but now, if we go nickel, I know Azeez has been [champing] at the bit all year. He wants to be out there, and this will be an opportunity for him to be out there this game a lot more."
