49ers lose Clelin Ferrell for at least 1 game, Arik Armstead returns

It’s all going according to plan.

The 49ers played their regular-season finale against the Rams hoping to keep key players available for the playoffs and coach Kyle Shanahan reported Tuesday his team is about as healthy as could be expected heading into two bye week practices.

The exception was starting defensive end Clelin Ferrell, whose knee injury will keep him out of the 49ers’ divisional round game on Jan. 20 or 21 against an opponent to be determined. That news was offset by the expected return of defensive tackle Arik Armstead, who missed the last five games with foot and knee issues.

“I think it looks good,” Shanahan said on a conference call with local media. “Our goal was to get out of that game healthy. I think Cle’s the one we’re going to lose most likely for at least one game. After that, we didn’t lose anyone else in the game and it looks like we’re getting most of these guys back that missed that game.”

Armstead, who was in the midst of one of his best seasons before being injured, might have played last week if the game had any bearing on the 49ers seeding. As it turned out, the 49ers wrapped up the top seed and the first-round bye — giving him even more time to heal.

“We were really pumped that he didn’t have to go last week,” Shanahan said. “Just giving him that extra week, he’s better than he was a week ago at this time. Hopefully it will give him enough time to ease back into this and make him even better a week from now.”

The 49ers plan to have a light session that will be mostly exercise and “throwing the ball around” Wednesday, with more serious sessions Thursday and Friday. The Thursday session may be in pads.

Here’s a roll call of the 49ers’ injuries other than Ferrell and Armstead:

— Running back Christian McCaffrey, who sat out a 21-20 loss to the Ram with a calf strain, won’t practice this week but is expected back next week.

— Tight end George Kittle, who missed the Rams game with back spasms, is “doing much better,” according to Shanahan.

— Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who missed the Ram game with Achilles’ tendonitis, will be limited. “We’ll be smart with him this week,” Shanahan said.

— Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is out of concussion protocol after missing three games.

— Safety Ji’Ayir Brown, who missed the last two games with a knee strain, could practice this week and be available for the playoff opener.

— Safety Tashaun Gipson, who sat out the Rams game with a quad strain, could practice this week.

— Safety and special teams ace George Odum, out with a torn biceps, will have his practice window open.

— Cornerback Ambry Thomas, who had wrist surgery and missed the Rams game, will return to practice.

WATCH OUT FOR 6 AND 7: The 49ers (12-5) will face one of four teams in their playoff opener. Given that the Los Angeles Rams (10-7) are No. 6, coached by Sean McVay, and the Green Bay Packers (9-8) are No. 7 and coached by Matt LaFleur, Shanahan isn’t ruling out facing one of his former colleagues. Shanahan, McVay and LaFleur were all on the same staff with Washington under Mike Shanahan from 2010-13.

“Six and seven this year have just as good a chance as one through five,” Shanahan said. “There’s no difference to me in any of the seeds and teams. I believe every one of them has a real good chance.”

WILKS AND THE CHARGERS: Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks will interview with the Los Angeles Chargers this week for their vacant head coaching position, Shanahan confirmed.

“It works out so well when you have the bye week,” Shanahan said. “It’s a great week for him. That was the only time I talked when I was on the bye week. So it works out and makes it easy for both situations.”

Wilks was 6-6 as an interim head coach in Carolina last season and 3-13 in a one-and-done tenure with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. Shanahan said he expects more teams to reach out to Wilks.

“Had a lot of phone calls and I know there’s a lot more people interested but you’ve got to go through the process of formerly requesting an interview and we’ve only got that from the Chargers so far,” Shanahan said.

The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley on Dec. 15 and have interviewed interim coach Giff Smith for the position.

WILL RYAN STAY A STARTER?: Free safety Logan Ryan, signed Dec. 5 after an injury to rookie starter Ji’Ayir Brown, has played every snap of the last two games and could remain a starter in the playoffs.

Brown, a rookie third-round draft pick out of Penn State, replaced 2023 All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga, who was lost to a torn ACL. Brown sustained a knee sprain on a Christmas night loss to the Ravens in which he played the entire game. Ryan, who won two Super Bowl rings with New England, has stepped in admirably.

“Logan’s been great. Kind of what we hoped for,” Shanahan said. “You never know when you’re getting a guy in the middle of the year, but because we were thin at safety we needed a guy with experience and he filled his role great as a backup, on special teams, and just how he carries himself. Then when Ji’Ayir did get hurt, he’s played like a starting-caliber safety.

“We’ll see how Ji’Ayir is when he come back, because he was playing at a high level too before he got hurt. But Logan has helped us out in a tough situation.”

SHANAHAN AND THE HARBAUGHS: Shanahan was hired by the 49ers three years after Jim Harbaugh departed when the team slumped and there was a division in the front office between the head coach and former G.M. Trent Baalke.

Shanahan said he knows Jim’s brother John a little better, having interviewed with him before, but has also crossed paths with Jim as a college coach while scouting players and watched him as a player.

In particular, Shanahan remembers Harbaugh as a player launching a Hail Mary pass that was ruled as dropped in the end zone as Indianapolis lost 20-16 to Pittsburgh in the playoff following the 1995 season.

“I’ve always had a huge amount of respect for the Harbaughs, the way they carry themselves, the way they are as football coaches,” Shanahan said. “I loved Jim as a player. It was so cool to watch him with the Colts, especially that Hail Mary pass against Pittsburgh. I’ve always been a huge fan and it was real cool to watch last night.”