SANTA CLARA – Defensive lineman Tank Carradine returned to practice on Wednesday, closing the door on any other 49ers currently on injured reserve to play this season.
Teams are allowed to bring back two players from the injured list who were on the team’s 53-man roster at any point.
The 49ers opted to go with Carradine now, rather than wait a month for defensive lineman Arik Armstead. Carradine was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 25 with an ankle injury. He is eligible to play on Nov. 26 against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12.
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“It’s a tough decision, but we feel Tank has got a good chance to at least be back for these last six games where we know Arik would have been only the last two,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “We had to make a decision (Wednesday), so we’re going to go with Tank right now.”
The 49ers activated defensive lineman Ronald Blair on Saturday. He played 39 of the 49ers’ 77 defensive snaps and registered three tackles.
Carradine saw action in the first three games of the season as the team’s defensive end in base situations. The 49ers allowed 3.5 yards per rushing attempt in three games with Carradine and 4.1 yards a carry in the six games without Carradine.
49ERS ON INJURED RESERVE
Designated for return
--DL Tank Carradine (ankle)
Ineligible to return this season
--DL Arik Armstead (hand)
--WR Aaron Burbridge (hamstring)
--OL Joshua Garnett (knee)
--WR Pierre Garçon (neck)
--LB Jimmie Gilbert (knee)
--OL Garry Gilliam (knee)
--TE Cole Hikutini (knee)
--CB Prince Charles Iworah (quadriceps)
--CB Asa Jackson (hamstring)
--DB Chanceller James (knee)
--DL Chris Jones (calf)
--DB Don Jones (knee)
--LB Donavin Newsom (concussion)
--LB Malcolm Smith (pectoral)
--DB Jaquiski Tartt (forearm)
--DB Jimmie Ward (forearm)
--RB Joe Williams (ankle)
