Injury updates: George Kittle has a knee sprain; Deebo Samuel expected back by Week 4

Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media Monday afternoon and provided a few injury updates. He said George Kittle has a knee sprain, and the team would know more about his injury on Wednesday. Shanahan framed his answer as if Kittle would be questionable. Shanahan also said while Deebo Samuel was close to playing, he had “a little bit of a setback,” and that’s why he went on the injured reserve. The goal is still Week 4 for Samuel to return to the 49ers lineup.

Keeping the conversation with receivers, Shanahan voiced his concern for Richie James, who left Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 49ers made a move, and that could very well be free agent Mohamed Sanu. Shanahan said, “I love Sanu. He’s a hell of a player. I wouldn’t rule that out. At all,” when asked whether the 49ers would sign Sanu this week with the receiver’s injuries. Shanahan added that he expects Brandon Aiyuk to play Sunday against the Jets. “I’d be surprised if we don’t get him back.”

Shanahan also spoke highly of Javon Kinlaw and the offensive line. He said the line took a step forward from how they blocked in both the pass and run game last year. He also said the receivers played fine, though. Shanahan said he wished Kendrick Bourne would have attacked the ball toward the end of the game so that Bourne could’ve drawn a pass interference. One of the reporters tried to pin the blame on the wideouts performance instead of you know who and Kyle pretty much said, “Nah,” went in-depth on what each receiver did, and was happy about how they played.