San Francisco 49ers' George Kittle (85) celebrates with San Francisco 49ers' Aaron Banks (65) during the second half at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
The 49ers appear to have escaped a 37-34 overtime win against the Las Vegas Raiders without serious injury, although left guard Aaron Banks and linebacker Dre Greenlaw could be missing for their regular season home finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
Banks, who went into the 49ers game having missed just 17 snaps all season and none since Week 6, left after 17 snaps against the Raiders with a right MCL strain and ankle injury. He was capably replaced by veteran Dan Brunskill, who fared well in his place.
Greenlaw departed with a back injury after 43 snaps and did not return, with Azeez Al-Shaair getting extended time in his place. Coach Kyle Shanahan said more would be known on Greenlaw Tuesday because not all diagnostic machines were available Monday because of the holiday.
“I think we’re definitely going to miss Aaron for at least one game, but hopefully not Dre,” Shanahan told reporters on a conference call. “As bad as both of them looked, we didn’t know if it could be the whole season or not, so I do feel like we got some good news so far.”
The 49ers could also get wide receiver Deebo Samuel back this week, as well as running back Elijah Mitchell, who is on injured reserve. Those two situations would be monitored throughout the week of practice.
Factors include how the two feel physically and the amount of full speed practice they could get in during what is supposed to be a rainy week.
“I know they could definitely help us win, that’s for sure,” Shanahan said.
Shanahan also said running back Christian McCaffrey would be “day to day” with an ankle injury. McCaffrey led the 49ers with 121 yards on 19 carries and had six receptions for 72 yards for a season-high 193 yards in yards from scrimmage. Shanahan said he wasn’t sure when and how McCaffrey was injured.
“I don’t think he really felt it or complained about it until after the game,” Shanahan said. “I never saw it on any of the tape.”
The 49ers (12-4) have won nine consecutive games and are the No. 2 seed by virtue of Minnesota’s loss to Green Bay. They could still ascend to No. 1 and have a first-round bye — which would be advantageous when it comes to the status of Banks, Greenlaw, Samuel and Mitchell — should they beat Arizona and Philadelphia loses to the New York Giants.
More to come . . .
Originally published at Jerry McDonald