Kyle Shanahan on DE Dee Ford: ‘I think we’ll just have to continue playing without him’

It looked like the 49ers might be able to replicate their 2019 success on the defensive line with Dee Ford’s return in 2021. However, after just six games it appears the veteran defensive end’s 2021 campaign may be over.

Ford sustained a concussion in the 49ers’ Week 7 loss to the Colts which led to additional issues with the back problem he’s dealt with his entire career. San Francisco put him on IR the following week, and opened his practice window shortly after his required three-game absence. His deadline to be activated is Wednesday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday didn’t sound optimistic about Ford’s return.

“Yeah, I believe we’ve got to make it by Wednesday and yeah, we’ll see how that goes,” Shanahan said. “That’s something that I never can predict, but I’ll be surprised if he’s back. I think we’ll just have to continue playing without him.”

Wednesday marks the 21-day point of Ford’s window being open, which means the 49ers either have to activate him or leave him on IR for the rest of the season.

San Francisco traded a 2020 second-round pick for Ford in the 2019 offseason and signed him to a monster five-year deal worth up to $85.5 million with $33.35 million guaranteed. While his production and availability fell well short of the club’s expectations, Ford had a hand in the stellar 49ers’ pass rush that spearheaded their run to Super Bowl LIV.

If his season is over, he’ll finish with 3.0 sacks in six games, bringing his total with the 49ers to 9.5 in 18 contests. He also tallied 22 tackles, eight tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.

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