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Ford (back) was not seen at San Francisco's OTA sessions Tuesday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports. Ford dealt with back injuries in 2021 that limited him to just six games played before being sidelined in late October and missing the remainder of the season. The eighth-year defensive end has appeared in just seven games over the past two seasons for the 49ers, so his absence from any on-field drills Tuesday is not an encouraging sign for his long-term health. Ford is entering the final season of his contract with San Francisco and the remarks on his health by general manager John Lynch in late March seem to indicate that the team may ultimately choose to part ways before the start of the regular season.
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that Ford (back) won't return in 2021, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. Ford had been sidelined since late October, and he didn't show significant progress in his recovery from a back injury recently. The 30-year-old appeared in six games during the 2021 campaign and totaled five tackles (three solo), three sacks and a forced fumble.
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Ford (back) is questionable Sunday against the Cardinals, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Ford suffered a concussion in Week 8 against the Bears and cleared protocols, but he is also dealing with a back injury. If Ford is unable to play, Jordan Willis will look to take on a share of his snaps.
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Ford registered three tackles (two solo), two sacks and one forced fumble during Sunday's 28-21 loss to the Seahawks. Ford failed to get into the stat sheet the previous two weeks, but he bounced back in a big way Sunday. The 30-year-old has played a limited role for San Francisco's defense through the first four weeks of the season, but his breakout performance against Seattle may earn him some more snaps.
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday he's keeping his "fingers crossed" that Ford (neck) will be ready for the start of training camp in late July, David Lombardi of The Athletic reports. The 30-year-old came out of last year's season opener with a neck injury and missed the rest of the year, but he's apparently made significant progress in his recovery in the months since. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, Ford has been working out at the team facility since February, but he'll be away from the team this week during OTAs while visiting a back specialist.