The San Francisco 49ers traded for Chase Young last week, hoping to provide a boost to their struggling pass rush. However, the team is also expecting some reinforcements on the offensive front.
On Monday, the 49ers will return from some much-needed time off and begin preparations for the Jacksonville Jaguars, seeking to break a three-game losing streak.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel sustained a hairline fracture in his shoulder against the Cleveland Browns on October 15 but is confident he'll be cleared to play against the Jaguars.
"I am ready to go," Samuel said confidently this past week.
Tackle Trent Williams was also injured in the same game, suffering a low-ankle sprain but playing through to the end. Both players missed the last two games, and their return could be the catalyst needed to break the 49ers' three-game losing streak.
Last week, head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted that he thought Williams might have been able to play against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, upon observing his movements on the eve of the match, it became clear that the offensive lineman needed more time for recovery.
"We thought he was going to be good, but he wasn't," Shanahan said the day after the loss. "Hopefully, he'll have a good week this week of rehab and be ready to go when we come back for practice next Monday."
It's also worth noting that running back Christian McCaffrey has been playing through a slight oblique tear, also sustained in the game against the Browns, potentially affecting his performance on the field. Needless to say, the October 15 matchup took a toll on the overall health of the 49ers' roster.
"I think, in that Cleveland game, we lost a couple of [players]—Deebo on the first play of the game, gets nicked," general manager John Lynch recently told NBC Sports Bay Area. "Trent Williams guts it out to get through that game. And Christian has the oblique. So, those are three of your best players."
Lynch and the 49ers acknowledge that these are just excuses, though. The general manager added, "You've got to be able to respond."
Still, the Niners felt the losses and hope their impending returns will be enough to reverse the team's recent misfortunes.
There is also the matter of some players on injury lists who could become candidates to return—names like wide receiver Danny Gray, defensive lineman Robert Beal, and defensive backs Samuel Womack and Darrell Luter. Might any of these players contribute this season?
"Yeah, these guys, I think we're on the verge of we've got to make that decision," Lynch admitted this past week. "Kyle and I will have some conversations and, obviously, with the counsel of our health and performance staff, but these guys are ready to have their windows open. But you also have to have roster spots available.
"But, I do believe a couple, if not a few, are on the verge of having their windows open. At some point, we've got to see what they can provide us."