Samuel followed Shanahan in telling reporters his ankle was sore, but he has no doubt he will be on the field in Sunday’s conference title showdown with the Philadelphia Eagles.
McCaffrey suffered a bruised calf in Sunday’s divisional round win against the Dallas Cowboys and attempted to stretch the affected calf on the touchline during the game. Mitchell suffered a groin injury in the same game but still managed to carry the ball 14 times for 51 yards in the win. San Francisco will be hoping both arrive in time to face another tight-fisted defense this weekend.
Garoppolo’s lack of participation shouldn’t come as a surprise considering how much time he’s missed due to a foot injury that was originally thought to be a season-ending problem. Shanahan said on Wednesday he doesn’t expect Garoppolo to be able to play this weekend and with rookie Brock Purdy remaining undefeated as a starter it’s not an urgent matter.
What remains urgent is the need to prepare to give the top-ranked Eagles their best for any chance of giving back the Super Bowl at stake. This group will dedicate to such an effort, as well as lavish treatment and rehab, aiming to be finished before Sunday.