San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters via a conference call on Monday, the day after the team's 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and provided several injury updates.
Starting with players sidelined before the game, Shanahan noted that the team still aims to open Christian McCaffrey's practice window next week, hoping to have the star running back on the field for the Week 10 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, this plan depends on his progress this week.
"He's had no setbacks, so it looks like we're on track, but he's going to hit it hard this week while we're gone and kind of simulate some practice stuff for himself," Shanahan explained. "And as long as it all goes good, hopefully, we'll get him back in practice next week."
Addressing the decision to place McCaffrey on injured reserve, which sidelined him for an extended portion of the season, Shanahan explained, "We knew it was going to be at least a month, and shut him down for a while. And now, we'll build him up slowly. Things have been going well, so now it's going to be nice to get him back, hopefully."
When asked about McCaffrey's workload upon return, Shanahan focused on a cautious approach.
"The expectation is to see how he is when he gets back and then evaluate him as he goes," Shanahan shared. "I mean, of course, the hope is that everything just goes back to normal and it's perfect. That's what we're all striving for, but you've got to play that out smartly, and you've got to evaluate that each day, what we see with our own eyes, what he tells us. That'll be something we're constantly working through."
McCaffrey has yet to play this season after landing on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis.
Jennings expected to return
Shanahan also expects wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who has missed the last two games with a hip injury, to return after the bye week.
Injuries from Cowboys game
Regarding injuries from Sunday night's game, Shanahan confirmed that linebacker Dee Winters is in concussion protocol.
Running back Jordan Mason re-aggravated his shoulder injury from Week 6, while wide receiver Deebo Samuel sustained rib and oblique strains. Both players will be re-evaluated after the bye week.
Cornerback Renardo Green suffered an ankle sprain and is day-to-day, and wide receiver Chris Conley is week-to-week with a hamstring injury.
Shanahan also commented on cornerback Charvarius Ward's brief exit from Sunday's game: "I think he's played his best ball these last two weeks. He got a little tight in his groin on one drive and had to get it checked out. But it was no issues, and went back in fine."
No Greenlaw update yet
When asked about linebacker Dre Greenlaw, recovering from a torn Achilles suffered during February's Super Bowl, Shanahan didn't provide a definitive timeline, indicating the situation remains fluid.
"We talk about a lot of stuff, and he's working through it, but I hate to give a rough timeline for you guys because we're not exactly sure of it," Shanahan said. "Once we get out back from this bye week, I think he's going to be about week-to-week deciding whether we should get him back into a practice deal or not.
"We'll see how this next week goes, we'll see when we get back from the bye week, and I think once it gets past the bye week, then we'll be looking at each week on whether we should bring him back or not because it is getting closer."