49ers injury update: DJ Jones hurt, 3 others unavailable for season opener
Kyle Shanahan had a platter of rough injury updates following Thursday’s practice. He said DJ Jones left the session early with a shoulder injury, and three currently hurt 49ers won’t be available Week 1.
Jones took a hit during goal-line work according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. He was having a strong season at nose tackle last year before a high ankle sprain in Week 14 ended his year. The 49ers are relatively thin at nose tackle, so a major injury to Jones would be a significant blow to San Francisco’s defensive front. The Athletic’s Matt Barrows said rookie Javon Kinlaw slid over to the nose tackle spot in Jones’ absence.
The extent of Jones’ injury was unknown immediately following practice.
Shanahan also gave an update on a few 49ers currently on injured lists. He said wide receiver Richie James Jr., defensive lineman Jullian Taylor and center Weston Richburg would all be out for the start of the year.
James will begin on the Non-Football Injury list after breaking his hand during an offseason workout away from the team. Taylor and Richburg will both start on the Physically Unable to Perform list after season-ending knee injuries late last season.
Players who begin on injured lists are required to stay there for the first six weeks, at which point the team can open their three-week practice window. The player can either be activated during that window or put on season-ending Injured Reserve at the end of it.
The 49ers have added three wide receivers this offseason to help make up for some of their injuries at the position. James didn’t have a huge role as a pass catcher, but he did serve as the primary returner on punts and kickoffs.
Taylor had a relatively limited role on the defensive line last year, but he’s shown some promising signs and could see more opportunities once he’s healthy. The 49ers haven’t added a direct replacement for him.
Richburg was replaced last year by Ben Garland who’s dealing with an ankle injury. Garland should be back for Week 1 though. Richburg was having a very good year last year before a torn patellar tendon against the Saints in Week 14 ended his season prematurely. He figures to slot back in at the starting center spot once his practice window opens.
