San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh met with the media Friday morning, and he had some helpful injury updates. He said that he thinks Antoine Bethea is going to be cleared for Sunday's game, but the team is unlikely to play him. Additionally, Coach Harbaugh said there is a very good chance the team will use the injured with return designation option for defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey.
The Bethea news is not surprising, as far as not playing. Even though he could be cleared, there is no need to really rush him back on the field. I suppose if he's back from the concussion, he's back, but given that this is the preseason and Bethea is a veteran, they might as well give him the game off.
The Dorsey news gets us a little closer to confirmation on his status for 2014. The recently extended defensive tackle tore his biceps muscle, and Coach Harbaugh thinks he is looking at about a 3 1/2 month recovery timeframe. That would likely get him back sometime in November or December. That would be huge for a defensive line that will probably be a little worn down by that point in the season.