Kyle Shanahan: We’re gonna be making a big decision on Trent Brown today

The San Francisco 49ers wrap up their practice week Friday morning, and it might come with a roster move. Right tackle Trent Brown missed the past two practices with his shoulder injury, and Kyle Shanahan said in his bi-weekly Friday KNBR interview that they might have a big decision to make later today.

Brown injured the shoulder the Thursday before the Seahawks game in Week 12, and was inactive that Sunday. He returned the following week against the Chicago Bears, but was inactive in Week 14 against the Houston Texans. Shanahan said they are getting some final opinions today, and might have an announcement later today.

It seems likely Brown will not play on Sunday against Tennessee, but Shanahan’s comments suggest a potential move to injured reserve. If Brown cannot go on Sunday, Zane Beadles would likely get the start. The 49ers signed Tim Barnes to serve as a swing guy inside, with Darrell Williams serving as the swing tackle, but Beadles has been their most versatile backup. If Brown cannot play, they are a man short of what they might normally use. if they think Brown’s injury is just not going to come around in the next week or two, it makes sense to place him on injured reserve.

Shanahan meets with the media at approximately 1:00 p.m. PT, with the final injury report released shortly after that. My guess is any potential announcement will come then.