Aaron Lynch Injury: Updates on 49ers LB's Ankle and Return

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch has not played since he suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

---

Lynch Active vs. Jets

Sunday, Dec. 11

The 49ers announced Lynch is available to play in Week 14 against New York.

---

Latest on Lynch's Practice Status

Friday, Dec. 9

The 49ers announced Lynch was limited in practice all week.

---

Lynch's Injury Delivers Another Blow to Struggling Defense

The third-year player had three tackles and a sack before his injury. It was his first sack of the season in three games played.

The 23-year-old was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season after he violated the league's substance abuse policy. 

After impressing with six sacks and 23 total tackles as a rookie, Lynch assumed a more prominent role in the 49ers defense last season following the retirements of Patrick Willis, Chris Borland and Justin Smith, along with the departure of Aldon Smith. 

All told, Lynch missed two games during a strong sophomore campaign because of a concussion. But in his 14 healthy appearances, Lynch tallied 6.5 sacks and 38.0 total tackles to go with three defended passes. 

With NaVorro Bowman out for the year, the team's depth chart isn't exactly loaded with experienced veterans who can fill in.

Lynch's star has been on the rise ever since he was drafted in the fifth round in 2014, so getting his pass-rushing capabilities back in the lineup will boost a unit that has undergone a fairly drastic makeover during the last season-plus.