The 49ers believe their rash of injuries in the first half of Thursday night's preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys will not carry over into the regular season.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday on a conference call with Bay Area reporters that none of the injuries were serious enough to impact the 49ers when they open the regular season Sept. 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Tight end George Kittle and running back Matt Breida sustained separated shoulders, Shanahan said. Breida and Kittle will not participate in the final three preseason games as a precaution in order to ensure they will be available for the start of the regular season, league sources told NBC Sports Bay Area.
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SIGN UP HERE Veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith, who missed all of last season with a torn pectoral, sustained a hamstring strain on the sixth play of the game. Elijah Lee replaced him at middle linebacker.
“I do not think he’ll be available this week in Houston, but I think he’ll be week-to-week, and he’ll have a chance after this week,” Shanahan said of Smith.
Linebacker Eli Harold sustained a bruised knee and should not miss a significant amount of practice time. He is listed as “day to day.”
Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and offensive tackle Garry Gilliam now are in the NFL’s return-to-play protocol after being diagnosed with concussions.
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