SANTA CLARA – Dee Ford has been out far too long for the 49ers’ taste.
The lightning-quick edge rusher has battled quadriceps and hamstring strains since Week 12, with a return to action at New Orleans cut short four snaps in by an injury aggravation.
That put him back on the shelf three more games and four more weeks, before a return to practice leading up to Saturday’s home playoff game against Minnesota.
“Dee’s coming along good,” 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “He has some things to work through this week, but so far so good.