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The elixir in the fountain of youth?
It must be Juice.
Just two weeks after a brutal tackle hyperextended his knee, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszyzyk was cleared to return for their matchup Monday night against the Commanders.
At first glance, the injury looked to possibly be a season-ender. Even after further tests came back with encouraging results, the 49ers expected to be without Juszczyk until after the bye.
In the end, the 33-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler will miss only one game.
“It looked bad in the beginning, and they said they thought it would be three weeks,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday after practice. “Juice has always been fast any time he’s been hurt, but this is real impressive.”
Unfortunately for the 49ers, Juszczyk didn’t pass on his healing powers to Nick Bosa, who will miss his fourth straight game with a calf strain despite expressing confidence last week that he would be able to make it back vs. Washington. He didn’t take part in any practice this week.
“We would’ve been pleasantly surprised if he could go this week,” Shanahan said. “We were pleasantly surprised that he was that optimistic last week, but we still would’ve been surprised. This is kind of what we were expecting. There was a chance. He wasn’t wrong and I think he felt that way, but we’re gonna make sure he’s fully good and another week will help.”
Deebo Samuel and Garret Wallow, who both suffered hamstring strains last week, were both ruled out, as was safety Marques Sigle, who will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.
Samuel’s absence leaves the 49ers with three healthy receivers — Brandin Cooks, Jordan Watkins and Jacob Cowing — with Mike Evans listed as questionable.
Evans missed all three days of practice with the ribs he broke three weeks ago as well as Achilles soreness. He also didn’t practice last week before going on to catch seven passes for 113 yards in their win over the Seahawks.
“We’ll know on Monday,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers were expected to elevate at least one receiver from their practice squad to give them five on the active roster, but Shanahan revealed an unexpected possibility: Christian Kirk.
The 29-year-old free agent signee only had his practice window opened this week but was listed as questionable. Shanahan said he could “possibly” be activated Monday night.
Defensive end Mykel Williams, who returned last week for the first time since Week 9 of last season, was also listed as questionable, as were defensive tackle Gracen Halton (quad), nickelback Upton Stout (shoulder) and special teamer Siran Neal (neck).
The Commanders will come to Santa Clara without their leading rusher. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who has 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season, was ruled out for Monday night with a strained groin that kept him out of practice all week.
Washington is expected to get an important addition back this week in Trey Amos. The Commanders’ top cornerback has been on injured reserve but was full go in practice this week and is expected to be activated Monday, though he is officially listed as questionable.