The San Francisco 49ers are set to bolster their pass rush ahead of Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the team plans to activate defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos from injured reserve on Saturday, making him available for the Week 11 matchup at Levi's Stadium.
"He should be back on our [active roster] tomorrow by one (o'clock), and he'll be up Sunday," Shanahan said.
When asked about the impact of Gross-Matos' return, Shanahan expressed optimism.
"Oh, it helps a ton," he said. "We've had big expectations for Yetur. He had a hell of a camp and had that bad injury at the end of preseason. It wasn't able to heal the right way. And we feel this time off has healed it, and excited for him to get back with us."
Mitch Wishnowsky to IR?
In a corresponding move, the 49ers will likely place punter Mitch Wishnowsky on injured reserve. Wishnowsky re-aggravated a back injury during Week 10's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Yeah, not 100% [sure], but we've still got to discuss that," Shanahan said. "But most likely."
Shanahan elaborated on the punter's back issue: "It bothered him a ton in training camp. Then we rested him a ton, got better. But it's been acting back up again, and now we're back to where we were in training camp."
Shanahan added that Wishnowsky does not require a surgical procedure.
Brandon Aiyuk undergoes surgery
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk underwent surgery earlier this week to repair the torn ACL and MCL he suffered on October 20, as well as address any additional damage. Aiyuk finished the season with 25 receptions for 374 yards before the injury.
Updates on Nick Bosa and Trent Williams
Defensive end Nick Bosa is among several 49ers players listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks. Bosa returned to practice on Friday after missing the previous two days but was limited in participation.
"Yeah, a real light week," Shanahan said of Bosa's workload. "I think it acted up on him more through the game than he thought it would, and I think it was really bothering him as the game went for all four quarters. For him to tough it out and finish it—he almost made that unbelievable play on fourth down. Then [Buccaners QB] Baker [Mayfield] made even more unbelievable play.
"But then, later in that drive, he had some big ones, had a huge stop. I believe it was 2nd-and-goal on a run play, where he came back under and just battled through. Hopefully, with the rest, he'll feel a little better this week."
Tackle Trent Williams is also listed as questionable after missing practice all week due to an ankle injury.
"Just has been hurting all week and thought he'd be able to go today, [but he] couldn't," Shanahan said. "Hopefully, he'll be better tomorrow and good to go, but he'll have all the way up to kickoff for him."
