Team news: San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have been without start tight end George Kittle and starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for the last month, but there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’m holding out hope for Jimmy for the last couple of weeks,” San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said, via Cam Inman of The Mercury News. “Same with Kittle. I think they’re in a similar boat, but that I mean that’s not guaranteed.”

Related players: Nick Mullens, Jordan Reed

Kittle is a name to pay attention to especially. If he's popped up on your waiver wire, you may want to take a shot on picking up a potential stud if you're planning a deep playoff run. Kittle can be stashed on IR until the timeline becomes more clear. If the 9ers are able to make the playoffs, it seems like both players may have a shot to be back by then.

The good news is that Kyle Shanahan expects wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and the three other players on the reserve/COVID-19 list to be activated before the team leaves for its new home base in Arizona on Wednesday.

"My understanding is they'll all be off it today," Shanahan shared. "... My understanding is [Aiyuk] should be good to go, and all those guys (will be) totally normal for practice on Thursday (in Arizona)."

Aiyuk was had busted out before he went on the COVID list. He hasn't played since a 7-75-1 line on Nov. 15. His two games prior to that he posted lines of 8-91-1 and 6-115-0, and even scored a TD a week before that.

49ers TE Jordan Reed is questionable for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury.

Ross Dwelley would start if Reed were to miss Sunday's game. Reed would see a healthy workload if he suits up.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel is questionable for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury.

Samuel's return would help a depleted receiving corps that is still without Brandon Aiyuk.