Depth was a luxury for the San Francisco 49ers at the start of the 2019 season. That benefit certainly curtailed as the year progressed as 14 members of the 49ers finished the season on the Injured Reserve list. It's also worth noting that five of the 14 players returning from IR are set to become free agents next month.
Here's a look at which players are set to return and their status heading into 2020.
1. Ronald Blair III - (UFA)
San Francisco's depth along the defensive line took a big hit following the loss of Blair III. The fourth-year defensive lineman provided valuable rotational depth that saw a decline towards the second half of the season. Blair III, an impending free agent, tore his ACL in Week 10 on a sack against Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks. Blair III appeared in nine games in 2019 and recorded 3.0 sacks, three quarterback hits, 21 total tackles and a fumble recovery.
2. Garrett Celek - (UFA)
The second-longest tenured member of the 49ers announced his retirement on Instagram last week. Celek, who was due to become a free agent next month, opened the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The tight end was activated in Week 9 and went on to appear in five games before being placed on Injured Reserve in Week 14.
3. Shon Coleman - (UFA)
Coleman was expected provide significant depth at tackle before suffering a dislocated ankle in the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys and was forced to miss the entire 2019 season.
4. Marquise Goodwin
Goodwin appeared in nine games with six starts in 2019 before being placed on Injured Reserve in Week 15. He registered 12 catches for 186 yards and one touchdown in his third season in San Francisco.
5. Tim Harris
Just ahead of final roster cuts, the 49ers placed the sixth-round rookie cornerback on Injured Reserve.
6. Jalen Hurd
The 49ers third-round pick dealt with a back injury during the start of training camp, forcing him to miss the start of regular season. Hurd's rookie campaign never got off the ground as he was placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 3.
7. D.J. Jones
Jones was having a breakout season in Year 3 before being cut short by an ankle injury in the Week 14 win over the New Orleans Saints. Prior to the injury, Jones started all 11 games he appeared and recorded 23 tackles and two sacks.
8. Jerick McKinnon
For the second-straight year, the 49ers plans for McKinnon were put on hold due to injury. Complications in his recovery from a knee injury forced the running back to be placed on Injured Reserve at the start of the season.
McKinnon, however, made it clear that he wants to remain in San Francisco beyond the 2019 season despite not playing a snap since 2017.
9. Damontre Moore - (UFA)
The 49ers signed Moore to a one-year deal following the season-ending ACL injury to Blair III. Moore appeared in two games with San Francisco before being placed on Injured Reserve with a broken forearm.
10. Weston Richburg
San Francisco's starting center was having a standout season in San Francisco before suffering a torn patellar tendon in Week 14. According to Richburg, he expects to be on time for a training camp return this July.
11. Kentavius Street
The former fourth-round pick was placed on Injured Reserve at the start of the regular season after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. He was activated in Week 15 and appeared in three games before being placed back on Injured Reserve ahead of the NFC Divisional Round.
12. Jullian Taylor
Taylor, who was expected to be a key rotational piece on the 49ers defense, sustained an elbow injury in Week 13. He missed three games before returning to practice where he sustained an ACL injury during practice that placed him on Injured Reserve. Taylor appeared in six games and registered 16 total tackles, two quarterback hits, a pass defended and a fumble recovery in 2019.
13. Trent Taylor
After an impressive showing in training camp, Taylor underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot in early August. The wideout suffered several complications in his right foot which forced him to miss the entire 2019 season.
Taylor posted on his Instagram last week that he is out of his walking boot. The receiver hopes to be "100 percent" by training camp this summer.
14. Jason Verrett - (UFA)
Verrett missed the entire preseason following an ankle injury suffered during training camp. He appeared in the 49ers Week 3 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and was placed on Injured Reserve shortly after with a knee injury.
