The San Francisco 49ers are finishing the season the same way they started it.
In a season marred by injuries since training camp, the 49ers began their Week 18 preparations with 11 players absent from Wednesday’s practice. It’s a culmination of an issue that’s been bubbling all year and catalyzed a disappointing campaign that saw the club lose double-digit games for the fourth time in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s tenure.
The 49ers’ injury woes were so bad in camp that they had to cancel joint practices with the New Orleans Saints because they didn’t have enough bodies to complete joint practices.
Now, with nothing on the line in their season finale, we could see the 49ers be extra cautious with some of their veteran players who figure to be key pieces of the roster next season.
Of the 11 players absent Wednesday, seven are starters who could be impact players in 2025. There were two limited participants who should also be impact players next year.
Here’s what Wednesday’s practice report looked like:
Did not participate
DE Robert Beal (ankle)
DE Nick Bosa (knee)
OL Spencer Burford (calf)
LB Demetrius Flanngan-Fowles (calf)
DE Leonard Floyd (shoulder)
TE George Kittle (ankle, hamstring)
CB Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder)
OT Colton McKivitz (knee)
QB Brock Purdy (elbow)
WR Deebo Samuel (ribs, wrist)
CB Isaac Yiadom (pelvis)
Limited participation
S Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle)
WR Ricky Pearsall (illness, chest)
Full participation
RB Isaac Guerendo (foot, hamstring)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
