49ers injury updates: Which players on IR can or will return in 2026? - Niners Wire

The San Francisco 49ers will enter Week 2 with at least 13 players on IR. There's a 14th on the way with De'Zhaun Stribling expected to hit the injured list while he works back from an ankle injury he suffered in Week 1 that will require surgery.

Stribling will be eligible to return from IR, though head coach Kyle Shanahan is anticipating a 10-week recovery timeline for the rookie second-round pick. The team has not officially placed him on IR at press time. That roster move will likely come Saturday.

Along with the players on IR, the 49ers have running back Isaac Guerendo and defensive end Mykel Williams on the PUP list. They'll be eligible to come back after Week 4. That same four-week timeline goes for players on IR who are eligible to return.

Will he return: Not this year. He suffered a torn patellar tendon in the week of practice leading up to Week 1. His season is over.

Can he return: No. Farmer was placed on IR early in training camp.

Can he return: Not this year. He went on IR in May, so his season is over.

Can he return: Yes. Hobbs went on IR shortly after making the initial 53-man roster.

Will he return: It's still unclear what the 49ers' plan for Hobbs is. He didn't get much time in training camp, but the team saw enough to want to keep him in the building. By placing Hobbs on IR after final cuts, they can effectively redshirt him this year and keep him on IR. They can also activate him if they need CB help and he's healthy enough to return.

Can he return: Not this year, though it'll be worth keeping an eye on Kamara in next year's camp. He was an interesting undrafted rookie who suffered a season-ending knee injury early in training camp. His IR placement in July ended his season.

Can he return: He sure can! Kirk was one of the two players the 49ers placed on IR at final cuts with a return designation.

Will he return: The 49ers appear to be anticipating as much. By designating Kirk to return at final cuts the 49ers have ensured he'll count against their eight allotted IR returns per season. It's unclear when exactly he'll be back in the mix after dealing with a calf injury for virtually all of training camp. He's eligible to return after Week 4.

Can he return: Martin is eligible to return after making the 49ers initial 53-man roster.

Will he return: That's still up in the air. San Francisco may be giving Martin the treatment WR Jacob Cowing got last year where he's on IR because he's hurt and stays there because there's no role for him on the active roster.

Can he return: He will be able to return this season. Okuayinonu hurt his foot in the final practice before the team boarded its flight to Australia.

Will he return: It's unclear for now. Shanahan didn't sound optimistic about a return any time soon for Okuayinonu, but he left the door open for a return late in the season.

Can he return: Pearsall cannot come back in 2026 because he went on IR before final cuts and didn't receive a return designation. The expected timeline for return is nine months, which means Pearsall wouldn't be an option to return even if the rules didn't prohibit it.

Can he return: Yes. Pleasants received the team's second of two return designations at final cuts.

Will he return: It sounds like it. He hurt his knee in the 49ers' second preseason game. The team could use him back for depth on their offensive line and his return designation at final cuts means they're optimistic he'll return at some point after the minimum required four weeks.

Can he return: Tonges went on IR leading up to Week 2 so he is eligible to come back.

Will he return: He will not. Shanahan on Wednesday confirmed Tonges suffered a season-ending MCL tear.

Can he return: He can't. Toth went on IR at final cuts and didn't get one of the return designations.

Can he return: Not in the 2026 season. Zakelj had the same fate as Toth going on IR at final cuts with no return designation.