Why the 49ers Should Not Suit Up Joe Staley vs. Panthers

Joe Staley has been a limited participant in this weeks slate of practices with a chance to play on Sunday. Despite the positive signs of recovery, the 49ers must not suit up Staley on Sunday.

The odds that offensive tackle Joe Staley plays on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers is best described as an "outside chance". That is what Kyle Shanahan said when giving an update on Staley's status on at a presser earlier in the week. Staley has been on the mend after suffering a broken fibula in week two against the Bengals.

His recovery has been right on schedule as he has been a participant in practice everyday this week. It has been in limited fashion, but the fact that he is still able to go out there is a fantastic sign of his recovery. However, the 49ers should not suit up Joe Staley regardless of how he has looked in practice this week.

#49ers OT Joe Staley said he's still taking his return from fibula injury day to day. He made it through limited practice without issue yesterday and will participate again today. Staley acknowledged the quick turnaround to Thursday night next week could factor into his status.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) October 24, 2019

In fact, they probably shouldn't even consider playing him against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. The 49ers need to be cautious with how they handle bringing Staley back into battle. As of now, he is just taking it day-by-day, which is an indicator that there is a lack of clarity of his injury. That really isn't what you want with such a pivotal player like Staley.  

There is no benefit whatsoever into rushing him back so soon. A lot of that is thanks in part to backup tackle Justin Skule. Skule has been phenomenal protecting Jimmy Garoppolo's blindside. The offense of the 49ers has not skipped a beat since Skule has been filling in. It is both a proponent of his talent level and the system of Kyle Shanahan. 

Here’s a look at Joe Staley hitting the sled in his first practice back with the 49ers after suffering a hairline fracture on his left fibula: pic.twitter.com/PHbbj9Dzgx

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) October 23, 2019

Since they are not desperate for Staley to return right now, the 49ers are fine with Skule. The better path to take here is to allow Staley an abundance of time to recover. By holding him out of Sunday's game and the week nine matchup with Arizona, they will have ensured that Staley will be good to. It's really a case of better safe than sorry. 

The same can be said about cornerback Ahekllo Witherspoon, who has also been nursing an injury. Emmanuel Moseley has performed wondrously in Witherspoon's stead that it allows the 49ers to take their time with bringing these key players back. We are already in mid-season of the 2019 regular season, so the 49ers must tread carefully when handling the return of their key players.