San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan faces the challenge of balancing rest and readiness ahead of the playoffs, with considerations on resting older players and managing injuries. The team is in a better position than last year, with fewer injuries and more return-from-IR designations available. Key players like Christian McCaffrey and Arik Armstead are out for the upcoming game against the Rams, and the team may give more playtime to backups and practice squad members to avoid further injuries while keeping the team sharp for their playoff run starting January 20 or 21.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is contemplating the balance between resting players and avoiding rustiness with the team having secured the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed and a first-round bye. While the bye week offers an opportunity for players like Christian McCaffrey to recover from injuries, Shanahan is wary of the potential for developing bad habits and the risk of other players getting injured due to increased practice loads. Decisions on player availability for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams have not been finalized, as the team still needs to dress 48 players on game day. Shanahan acknowledges the historical advantage of top seeds in the playoffs and aims to maintain momentum heading into the divisional round.
