49ers’ list of injured players vastly increases
Bosa listed as questionable for season opener
SANTA CLARA – The 49ers’ list of training camp casualties soared Thursday, only two days from from their exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
There’s no easy way to summarize this other than to dart from coach Kyle Shanahan’s player-toplayer prognosis, all of whom figure to miss the exhibition season unless otherwise noted:
– Defensive end Nick Bosa: The 49ers are “hopeful” he will return for the Sept. 8 season opener at Tampa after “seriously” spraining his right ankle. After an unspecified “very big” teammate fell on his knee in a run-play pileup, Bosa was fortunate not to injure his right knee, which four years required a new anterior cruciate ligament. Shanahan called it a “pretty freak thing” in defending Bosa’s injury history, which includes a pulled hamstring in May and a core-muscle tear last September at Ohio State.
– Running back Jerick Mckinnon: His ACL comeback is on hold after a “lot of soreness” in his right knee, after only his first two days of light practicing outside of team drills. He will have a platelet-rich plasma injection and be out two weeks. Going on shortterm injured reserve is a possibility, as he can not revert to the physically-unable-to-perfom list. With Jeff Wilson (calf) still out, the 49ers figure to rely mostly on Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert and Austin Walter in the exhibitions while preserving potential starter Tevin Coleman.
– Cornerback Jason Verrett: The prevailing thought is he got lucky to only sprain an ankle while tackling Raheem Mostert on Wednesday. Still, it was an act that worked against Verrett’s fragile health. Shanahan expressed “the ultimate trust” in Verrett’s potential, saying he’s as good a guy and competitor possible. No exhibitions in his future
but he should make the roster, if healthy.
– Cornerback K’waun Williams: Arthroscopic knee surgery recently was performed on Williams, the 49ers starting nickel back the past two seasons. The 49ers are hoping he can heal in time for Week 1, otherwise his replacement will be D.J. Reed, Emmanuel Moseley or Greg Mabin.
– Center Weston Richburg: Offseason surgery to repair a torn quadriceps has kept Richburg restricted to individual conditioning on the PUP list. The hope is he returns a week before the season starts. An expensive addition in 2018, Richburg has been replaced in practices by Ben Garland, a veteran guard with minimal experience at center.
– Defensive end Arik Armstead: A calf injury has kept him out the past two practices and he is listed as day-to-day. As a fifth-year veteran, he does not need exhibition-season snaps.
– Defensive end Dee Ford: He hasn’t practiced fully since July 29, the third practice of camp, and his PRP therapy for knee tendinits likely will keep him out through next week if not all of the exhibition season.
– Defensive end Ronald Blair: Arguably the 49ers’ top reserve at defensive end, he is day-to-day with a groin injury. Look for Solomon Thomas, Damontre Moore, Kentavius Street, newly signed Jeremiah Valoaga and possibly rookie Kevin Givens to play the majority of reps in the exhibition season, especially if Blair sits longer.