Lynch confirms Hargrave could still return during 49ers playoff run originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Help from the defensive line could possibly be on the way. Emphasize “possibly”.
Veteran defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, who was placed on end of season injured reserve on Sept. 28 with a torn triceps, still has a chance to return to the field during the playoffs — if the 49ers make it — San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Friday. on KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus.”
“We have enough bodies,” Lynch said of the 49ers’ defensive line depth. “We were deep there as well and we have enough bodies. Yetur Gross-Matos is going in the right direction to come back. Hargrave, potentially if we can make the playoffs, there’s a potential chance that he come back. I know he’s working towards this, these things are far away, but in the meantime, we have enough guys.
Coach Kyle Shanahan initially told reporters shortly after Hargrave was injured in San Francisco’s Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that the 31-year-old had an outside chance to return if the 49ers performed a deep playoff run. Four weeks after his injury, it appears Hargrave is progressing well enough that this could become a reality.
The 49ers (3-4), of course, first have to make the playoffs before they can even think about Hargrave returning this season.
But if they go on another deep run, as they have in four of the previous five seasons, Hargrave could provide a much-needed boost to the defensive line.
