While the 49ers are hopeful Nick Bosa can return to action Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, the news wasn’t so good with Jimmie Ward and Arik Armstead.
Coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters from West Virginia on Wednesday morning as the team avoided two cross-country trips between Charlotte and Atlanta. He opened his press conference by listing off the numerous injuries plaguing the 49ers following their costly 37-15 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Bosa didn’t play the second half against the Panthers after suffering a groin injury and didn’t practice Wednesday with the team, but reportedly rehabbed on the side, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.
“I know he’s got a chance to play,” Shanahan said. “But he doesn't feel well enough to go today. Hopefully he’ll be better (Thursday).”
Bosa is tied for the league lead in sacks (six) and is tops in quarterback pressures (31) and quarterback hits (16), per Pro Football Focus. Bosa is squarely in the early-season conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year while leading the Niners’ top-ranked defense.
The Niners are banged-up on that side of the ball after Sunday’s game, when cornerback Emmanuel Moseley was lost for the season with an ACL injury. Ward also broke his hand on the opening kickoff while Armstead sat out with a foot/ankle issue.
The 49ers were hopeful that Ward would be able to play with a cast, but it sounds like that won’t be possible for a while.
“Jimmie Ward had his surgery,” Shanahan said. “They have a cast put on it. He should have a chance to play within a few weeks, but we won’t know anything until they re-evaluate that in about 10 days.”
Shanahan said Armstead didn’t make the trip to the East Coast and will be unavailable Sunday.
As for Moseley’s replacement, it could be veteran cornerback Jason Verrett, who began his second week of practice with the team Wednesday. Verrett is on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, working back from a 2021 ACL tear and could be active against the Falcons. Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group shared video of Verrett practicing Wednesday.
“We gotta test everything out to make sure he’s ready,” Shanahan said. “Not just that he’s feeling good and says he’s good and looking quick.You gotta make sure he can go through all the routes, see everything in practice — the stuff you figure out throughout training camp. Sometimes it’s tough just for him to just carve in practice. Last year or in ‘19, we all felt like he was there, then he got in some situations where you could see he wasn’t. That’s what we’re trying to not do.”
Kicker Robbie Gould, who suffered a left knee contusion making a tackle against the Panthers, will be tested out Thursday or Friday. Kicker Sam Sloman has been added to the practice squad as insurance.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday is TBD. Linebacker Samson Ebukam (Achilles) and guard Aaron Banks (knee) were sore from playing on the turf in Carolina Sunday and didn’t practice. All-Pro tackle Trent Williams (high ankle sprain) remains out for Week 6.
