The 49ers have been fortunate to keep their stack of players on injured lists to a minimum in the early part of the 2023 season. Now the handful of players who are either on IR or PUP are ready to return, leaving some tough decisions ahead for San Francisco.
Rookie cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. began the year on the PUP list, while rookie defensive end Robert Beal, wide receiver Danny Gray and cornerback Samuel Womack III all went on IR within the first week of the season. Every player in that quartet is eligible to return from their respective injured list, and all of them are ready to come back per general manager John Lynch.
Lynch on Wednesday in a conference call with reporters made it clear the team isn’t in a rush to activate anyone because of the roster logistics that come with it.
“Yeah, these guys, I think we’re on the verge of we’ve got to make that decision. Kyle and I will have some conversations and obviously, with the council 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.”
It would be a mild surprise if either Luter or Beal contributed as rookies, although the team could use some depth at both CB and DE. That neither 2023 draft pick has so much as practiced with the team through eight weeks though would indicate they’re heading toward a redshirt year.
We may see the 49ers open practice windows for both which would give them three weeks of practice before either being activated or placed on season-ending IR. If they look like they can play in those practices then maybe they find a role on the roster. If they don’t, the team can put them on IR and move forward with the 2023 season.
Gray may not have a roster spot available given the team’s logjam at receiver and the roles each WR has carved out. They may not see a ton of value in adding him to the roster and losing depth at another position.
Womack may certainly come back after working through a knee injury. He’s a versatile, capable CB who can contribute on special teams and the club knows what it’s going to get from him. Given their need at cornerback it’d make a lot of sense if they activated Womack at some point shortly after the bye week.
