49ers add tight end Celek to long list of injured
SANTA CLARA – Make that 15 players on the 49ers’ ever-growing injured reserve list, with another one likely coming in the next day or two.
Tight end Garrett Celek’s comeback from offseason back surgery came to a halt Thursday when he got put on injured reserve.
The 49ers also are expected to place nose tackle D.J. Jones on IR in the coming days because of an ankle injury he sustained in Sunday’s 48-46 win at New Orleans.
The 49ers (11-2) host the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) on
Sunday, so reinforcements will be added to the roster, as has been the need much of the past month. Tight end Daniel Helm is being promoted from the practice squad, and the defensive line figures to get either Kentavius Street off injured reserve or Kevin Givens off the practice squad.
Although the growing list of Ir-tagged casualties has progressively grown since November, there is this note: the New England Patriots had 19 players on injured reserve when they won last season’s Super Bowl.
“It’s unfortunate to have injuries and guys dropping like flies, but it’s next guy up,” defensive tackle Deforest Buckner said. “The past couple years, it happened to us early on. We’ve been lucky not to have crazy, crucial injuries at the beginning of the season, but it’s happening now. We need guys to step up and handle their business.”
The 49ers’ growing list of season-ending injuries now includes tight end Garrett Celek, who went on injured reserve Thursday because of a back issue.
Earlier this week, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (foot, knee) and center Weston Richburg (knee) went on injured reserve, as did practice-squad linebacker Demetrius FlanniganFowles.