The bye week couldn't have come at a better time for the San Francisco 49ers as they look to get healthier for the second half of the season.
They finished out their pre-bye week schedule by suiting up four wide receivers against the Atlanta Falcons. They also had rookie offensive tackle Enrique Cruz Jr. in uniform for the first time, and cornerback Upton Stout dressed despite never playing a snap in Week 7.
It was a limp to the Week 8 week off, but after the Bye the 49ers should get a handful of players back. That includes a rash of players on IR, one on PUP, and a handful that likely would have gone on IR if not for the limitations on returning players.
If every player who isn't out for the season and eligible to return from IR did return, it
would max out the 49ers' eight IR return slots for the season.
Here's a rundown of all the players who should be available at some point after they Bye:
WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring)
Samuel hurt his hamstring in Week 5. He was due to miss multiple weeks, but the initial estimates circled the bye week. It wouldn't be a surprise if the team waited until a couple weeks after the bye to get Samuel back on the field.
WR Mike Evans (Achilles)
Evans wasn't active Sunday. It's unclear what the severity of his Achilles tendinitis is, but the team will likely try and get him on the field in Week 9 vs. the Las Vegas Raiders. Whether he plays or not is up in the air.
WR Demarcus Robinson (ankle), IR
Robinson is eligible to return from IR. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 and was eligible to come off IR in Week 7. There's a chance he's back in Week 9. If he's not it shouldn't be long after that if his three-to-six week return timeline is still in place.
WR De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), IR
Don't expect the 49ers rookie to be back any time soon after the Bye. The initial timeline for his return was more than two months when he hurt his ankle in the season opener. If he is back in 2026 we're looking more toward Week 13 or 14 than we are any time close to the week off.
RB Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), PUP
It's unclear whether Guerendo is in the 49ers' plans this year. He's been on PUP since the start of training camp because of a pec injury he suffered during the offseason program, and there's been no movement toward getting him activated for the regular season. The 49ers may just be stashing him in case of another injury at running back.
OL Austen Pleasants (knee), IR
The 49ers have already designated Pleasants for return by putting him on IR at final cuts after he sustained a knee injury in their penultimate preseason game. It would be a waste of a return slot if he doesn't come back. When they plan to activate him is unclear. They could use his versatility, though.
DE Nick Bosa (calf)
There was initially some optimism he'd be back in Week 6 after straining his calf in the lead up to Week 3. Then he didn't come back, which led to optimism he'd be okay for Week 7. He played in neither game. Now the hope is he'll be good to go after another full week off. The 49ers need him after their pass rush struggled badly in their Week 7 loss to the Falcons.
DL CJ West (knee), IR
West has been on IR with a knee injury since Week 3. He was eligible to return in Week 7, and while the team doesn't believe his issue is season-ending, it's hard to imagine he'll be back any time in the week or two after the Bye. San Francisco may be waiting awhile to get the second-year DT back.
DL Sam Okuayinonu (foot), IR
It's unlikely the 49ers are putting a lot of hope in Okuayinonu to come back this season after he broke his foot in the final practice before the team left for Australia in Week 1. There's some hope he'll be back late in the season or if the team is in the playoffs. Don't mark him down for a return shortly after the week away.
LB Luke Gifford (groin)
Gifford isn't on on injured list. He's dealing with a groin injury and could be back sometime near the Bye.
LB Garret Wallow (hamstring)
Wallow is in the same boat as Gifford. Neither LB is on an injured list so they can return whenever. It's just unclear what the timeline is or the severity of their respective injuries.
LB Nick Martin (hamstring), IR
The 49ers may not plan on Martin being back this year. They have a pretty deep linebacker corps and using a return designation on a linebacker with no real role could come back to bite them. If there are a rash of major injuries at the position the club may turn to Martin if he's healthy and ready to go. For now, we're not anticipating his return any time soon.
CB Upton Stout (shoulder)
Stout wasn't even inactive for Week 7, but he never played after suiting up. He was questionable with a shoulder injury that's been nagging him. He was questionable going into Week 6 and played, but left the game in the second half. Sunday he was questionable and never got on the field. A week off should help, and the fact he was even in uniform is a sign his issue may not go long beyond the Bye.
CB Nate Hobbs (groin), IR
We'll put Hobbs in the same bucket as Martin, although the team could probably use a cornerback more than it could use a linebacker. While Stout was on the sideline Sunday, the 49ers struggled to find a capable third cornerback, eventually turning to rookie Ephesians Prysock who made his defensive debut.
S Marques Sigle (ankle)
A Week 4 ankle injury sent Sigle to the sideline. He's not on an injured list so he'll be able to suit up again whenever he's healthy. Sometime immediately or shortly after the Bye would make sense. Whether he has a starting job when he comes back remains to be seen. Malik Mustapha has been good in his stead.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers injury updates: 15 players who could return after bye week
