With Nick Bosa’s return to the field on Thursday, the 49ers were able to rid themselves of distractions heading into Sunday’s season opener in Pittsburgh.
Bosa was limited, mostly working on the side field and doing individual drills, but his presence was notable.
Shanahan was asked in his Thursday hit with Tolbert and Copes about what Bosa’s involvement on Sunday would look like. He responded by joking about the fact that his press obligations were holding him back from finding out that answer.
“I mean, I’ve thought about it a lot,” Shanahan said. “Today was our first time seeing him out there on the field and I can’t wait to go discuss it with people, but I’m forced to do a TV show and a radio show soon as practice ends, so as soon as these are over, I’m gonna go in and watch it with the guys and we’re going to start discussing this right away.”
While Bosa was active, the 49ers had two key members of the secondary who were absent. Talanoa Hufanga, who has been dealing with a Baker’s cyst, missed practice due to a personal matter. Charvarius Ward also made the practice report and did not practice due to a heel injury.
Kyle Shanahan did not express much concern about Ward’s injury.
“Mooney had a little thing that came up yesterday, but we’re feeling pretty confident he’s gonna be alright,” Shanahan said.”
He also doubled down on his expectation that kicker Jake Moody, dealing with a right quad injury, will be good to go. It’s unclear if Moody would handle kickoff duties if he’s active, or if that would fall to punter Mitch Wishnowsky, who has struggled with those responsibilities in the past.
Below is the rest of the 49ers’ injury report from Thursday.
Limited:
- DE Nick Bosa (not injury related – resting player)
- LB Oren Burks (knee)
- S Tashaun Gipson (back)
- TE George Kittle (groin)
- RB Jordan Mason (foot)
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist)
- K Jake Moody (right quadricep)
Kittle is obviously the most notable name on that list besides Bosa.
He offered some optimism on Thursday, telling reporter that he feels “wonderful,” and that he’s “excited to play football on Sunday.”
He’s looked highly involved in the open portion of practices the past two days despite his limited designation.
The remaining practice report listed C Jon Feliciano (illness), S George Odum (shoulder), QB Brock Purdy (right elbow), T Trent Williams (not injury related – resting player) all as full participants on Thursday.
For Pittsburgh, only defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (foot) was limited for the second-straight day. No other player for the Steelers was limited or missed practice.
