It was announced during the 49ers’ preseason game against the Cowboys on Saturday that third-year wide receiver Trent Taylor had undergone surgery for a broken foot. He tweeted that he would only miss a couple games, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is more optimistic.
He told reporters after the 49ers’ 17-9 win that Taylor had a Jones fracture and should return within four to six weeks. The surgery was done to avoid a more severe injury. Shanahan is hopeful to have the slot receiver for the regular-season opener in Tampa Bay on Sept. 8.
That date would be just over four weeks. It may be a bit optimistic to circle that date for Taylor’s return given how cautious the team has been with their injured players. San Francisco’s second game is the following week in Cincinnati.
Still, this means the team shouldn’t need to even contemplate what to do with Taylor to start the year. A more severe injury may have forced them to place the former fifth-round pick on IR to start the year, which would’ve forced him out for at least eight weeks. A four- to six-week recovery ensures San Francisco won’t need to resort to that measure.
Taylor is looking for a bounce-back year after a disappointing 2018 campaign. A foot injury isn’t a great start, but it’s good news that Week 1 of the regular season is an option for him. That should put him in a position to perform at a high level once he is back in action.
