Injury updates: Blair out for the season with a torn ACL; Staley to miss time, too

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided some injury updates Tuesday afternoon. Edge rusher Ronald Blair has torn his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. That’s a big blow for the defense. The 49ers have thrived all season due to depth on the defensive line. You’d be hard-pressed to find a backup that has been as productive as Blair. Kentavius Street is eligible to return from IR, but he’s not Blair. Shanahan said the 49ers would workout a defensive line, as he referenced Street being more of an “inside guy.” Perhaps the team will bring back Damontre Moore, who is flying in for a workout.

Joe Staley has a finger fracture and will get a second opinion, but could require surgery. If surgery is necessary for Staley’s fracture/dislocated finger, he could miss a couple of weeks.

Emmanuel Sanders MRI came back with good news. His rib injury won’t require Sanders to miss an extended period. Sanders is day-to-day and will be a game-time decision against the Cardinals this Sunday. His injury is a “rib cartilage issue.”

Shanahan said George Kittle’s knee/ankle injury is a “much bigger injury” than. Robbie Gould’s quad injury. Shanahan wouldn’t rule out Kittle due to his history. Playing through injuries and playing well. Both he and Gould will be game-time decisions as well.

Shanahan said that Ahkello Witherspoon would start once he returns, but first, he needs to see three strong practices from Spoon in a row. Witherspoon moved well during the pre-game warmup against Seattle. I’d bet he suits up Sunday.

D.J. Jones has a groin injury that will keep him out at least a week.

Other than that, everything is fine!