49ers vs. Seahawks injury report: George Kittle doing all he can to play; Josh Norman doubtful
SANTA CLARA — If the 49ers are to reboot their rushing attack Sunday against Seattle, they sure could use two players whose health remains suspect: running back Elijah Mitchell and tight end George Kittle.
Each was listed Friday as questionable, and that means they’re likely game-time decisions as the 49ers look to avoid a second-straight home loss.
Kittle showed no sign of discomfort — instead, he looked as ebullient as ever — while running straight ahead Friday, doing so not at full speed and parallel to his teammates who were stretching before practice. His blocking prowess is needed just as much as his yards-after-catch ability considering the need for a rushing-game revival.
“I’m dealing with some swelling, a little pain and doing what we can to make sure I’m available Sunday,” Kittle said. “I’m going to do everything I can to be on the field Sunday. If my body says I can go, I’ll be out there.”
#49ers George Kittle looking OK on test runs but not part of team stretch as Friday walkthrough begins
No
CBs Norman (on side), K’Waun
Yes
RB Mitchell, DT Kinlaw pic.twitter.com/wPilUJVTIR— Cam Inman (@CamInman) October 1, 2021
If Kittle is out for the first time this season, backups Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner would take on bigger roles, as they had to do while Kittle missed half of season.
Mitchell, meanwhile, wore the no-contact jersey he’s donned all week. He missed Sunday night’s 30-28 loss to Green Bay because of a shoulder injury he sustained a week earlier in Philadelphia.
“It’s a pain thing,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I don’t question his pain tolerance. The fact it’s taken this long is there’s a lot of pain in there. If he can go, it’d be pretty impressive. It’s taken a lot longer than he was hoping.”
If Trey Sermon starts a second straight game, he’ll do so after an impressive week of practice in which Shanahan praised the rookie’s ability to address areas where he’s struggled. Trenton Cannon also is a candidate for more action after proving his play-making ability on special teams, Shanahan said.
Running back Raheem Mostert is still awaiting season-ending knee surgery after tearing knee cartilage in the opener. Jeff Wilson Jr. is out at least the next two games because of meniscus surgery in May.
“When you lose your No. 1 back, that’s a huge deal, and we did that on second play of the Detroit game,” Shanahan said. “We knew how big a deal that was, and it’s why took care of him in the preseason, because he’s a guy we knew would be tough to lose.
“… Got lot confidence in these young backs, but there’s more pressure on them a little quicker than we anticipated. We’ve had a little bad luck with that, but that’s part of the league.”
Kittle is expecting a classic, 49ers-Seahawks slugfest, regardless of who is on the field and who isn’t.
“They’re going to give us everything they’ve got. And after this week of practice, our team is going to be ready to swing right back at them,” Kittle said. “It’s going to be a heavyweight boxing fight.
“I don’t know how many points will be scored, but I know it’s going to be gritty. The run game is going to be intense. There’s going to be a lot of big plays. It’s going to be a fight from start to finish, and whoever backs down first will probably lose.”
CORNERBACK SITUATION
Cornerback Josh Norman is doubtful, and, to get cleared, he must pass a test Saturday that inspects whether fluid remains in his bruised lungs, Shanahan said. Norman has not practiced all week and instead conditioned on the side.
That injury required Norman’s overnight hospitalization, and it was caused by running back Aaron Jones’ helmet leading into Norman’s chest on a third-and-goal stop.
The 49ers’ options to start opposite Emmanuel Moseley are Deommodore Lenoir, Dontae Johnson and Dre Kirkpatrick. Rookie Ambry Thomas likely will be inactive a third straight game if those aforementioned cornerbacks are all active. Newly signed nickel back Buster Skrine also could be active, in place of K’Waun Williams, who’s out with a calf injury.
SEAHAWKS INJURIES
Tyler Lockett (hip) is listed as questionable, but fellow wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (foot) was off the Seahawks’ injury report and fully expected to play.
Running back Rashaad Penny (calf) and offensive tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) are the only Seahawks’ ruled out.
Wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge (concussion) is doubtful. Also questionable are linebacker Benson Mayowa (neck) and defensive end Alton Robinson (knee).
ARMSTEAD RECOGNITION
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead launched the Armstead Academy and invested $250,000 to partner with Mercy Housing on after-school program for Sacramento students. The NFL Players Association recognized Armstead’s latest deeds in his hometown by naming him its Community MVP for Week 4.
“It’s amazing when you’re recognized for the work you’re doing and what you’re trying to accomplish,” Armstead said. “The recognition corrals support.”
Armstead is coming off his first sack of the season, and next up is a familiar foe, the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson, to which he said: “Playing against him, he has tendencies, especially when he’s escaping. But also it’s football. Guys are reacting and doing different stuff out there. You just go out there, play and do the best you can.”
Let’s give it #UP for our Week 4 #CommunityMVP @arikarmstead. The @49ers D-lineman invested $250K and partnered with @mercyhousing to open Armstead Academy, an after-school academic enrichment program for K-12 students in his hometown of Sacramento: https://t.co/drH63b0Xz3. pic.twitter.com/9b51uhOeDh
— NFLPA (@NFLPA) October 1, 2021