49ers injury updates: The running back room suffers another injury

Isaac Guerendo will miss a few weeks. Kevin Givens might miss a couple of months. A host of veterans got the day off for the 49ers on Monday.

When San Francisco 49ers rookie running back Jordan James needed to be further evaluated with a knee injury last week, it was easy to take the doom and gloom approach and think worst-case scenario.

Those knee issues that James was dealing with turned out to be minor, as he returned to practice Monday.

James’s return is timely, as Isaac Guerendo and Christian McCaffrey did not practice. McCaffrey has consistently been given days off.

Isaac Guerendo has a shoulder injury and will miss a few weeks. He can’t seem to stay healthy. Safety Ji’Ayir Brown’s ankle “flared up a little.” Shanahan said Brown could return later this week. It was the same ankle Brown had surgery on this offseason.

Newly signed wide receiver Andy Isabella suffered an ankle injury while fielding punts. Isabella did not return or participate in any other drills. Shanahan said he’ll miss a few weeks.

Jauan Jennings remains out with a calf injury. Shanahan clarified that Jennings being out is “definitely health-related, not business-related.” He said the 49ers “gotta be delicate with those calves.”

Right tackle Colton McKivitz had the day off on Saturday. He returned after a rest day. A host of other veterans didn’t practice on Monday, including Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Kyle Juszczyk, and Kevin Givens. Ji’Ayir Brown and Sam Okuayinonu were also out.

Juszczyk is day-to-day after getting his Achilles stepped on. Kyle Shanahan said Juszczyk was dealing with soreness. Kevin Givens hurt his pec, and he will be out for a while. Shanahan made it seem like Givens will start the season on the PUP list. Sam O has a groin injury. There’s no timetable for his return.

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir missed the previous block of practices with a hip injury. Lenoir did individual drills on Monday with his pads on. Lenoir resumed his duties as a starter with the first team. When everybody is healthy, the cornerbacks are likely to be Lenoir, Renardo Green, and rookie Upton Stout. With Green sidelined, Dallis Flowers continues to get a look.

Edge rusher Yetur Gross-Matos was seen going through workouts on the side. That’s a good sign, as Gross-Matos ramps up his workouts and gets closer to returning to practice. It’ll be interesting to see what his role will be and how he fits in. Remember, he’s not a Robert Saleh “guy,” so there’s no guarantee for Gross-Matos.

Then again, the depth at defensive tackle is so thin that it makes sense for Gross-Matos to live in sub-packages inside. With no Bosa, Bryce Huff and Mykel Williams started on the edge. Shanahan is hopeful that Gross-Matos will return next week. He said, “We’re hoping Raiders week.”