Starting last year, every team acquired the ability to put one player per year on injured reserve with the ability to return to play after eight weeks.
This year, the 49ers have used theirs on linebacker Nick Moody, a rookie sixth-round draft pick. Moody, who has a hand injury, will be eligible to return to action in Week 10, against the Panthers.
The 49ers have filled the void on the roster, as we pointed out this morning on Twitter, with receiver-special teamer Kassim Osgood. The 11th-year pro was cut by the 49ers before the start of the 2013 regular season.
By using the designation on Moody, the 49ers won’t have it available if any other player suffers a multi-week injury that doesn’t end his season. Though we’ll mention no names in order to avoid being blamed if the player(s) named suffer a multi-week injury, any other 49ers players who could return at a later date would now have to be carried on the roster until healthy.
Of course, that’s the way it was before 2012. For the 49ers, it’s the way it will be for the rest of the season.
Hopefully, no one will nick an artery while, say, shaving off an eyebrow.