Injuries: Bosa, Aiyuk seem set to make opener
The 49ers won’t have two firstround picks available for the rest of training camp, which ends Friday, but injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa and rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk shouldn’t keep them out of the season opener against the Cardinals on Sept. 13.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said both players are “weektoweek.” Bosa hasn’t practiced since Friday because of a muscle strain in his leg and Aiyuk exited practice Sunday with what Shanahan termed a “mild” hamstring strain.
Meanwhile, defensive end Dee Ford hasn’t practiced since Saturday because of “calf irritation” and is daytoday, Shanahan said.
Bosa left Friday’s practice early because of
leg soreness and was given a day off on Saturday to rest. However, he began to experience more discomfort and underwent an MRI exam, which revealed his injury.
“He was about to go out and practice through it because he didn’t think it was much,” Shanahan said. “Fortunately, he got that (MRI) and we were able to prevent him from hurting it worse.”
Meanwhile, the 49ers feared Aiyuk had suffered a significant hamstring injury when he pulled up on a deep route in Sunday’s practice and grabbed at the back of his left leg.
“We got pretty good news with it,” Shanahan said.
The injury puts a halt to Aiyuk’s strong training camp. Shanahan and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne have been among those who have noted Aiyuk’s ability to quickly translate the knowledge from the virtual offseason meetings onto the field.
Shanahan acknowledged that Aiyuk needs as much onfield work as possible before his NFL debut, but noted Bosa missed most of training camp with an ankle sprain last year then went on to be named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“When you’ve got guys that come in prepared, that gives them a chance when they don’t get all these reps,” Shanahan said. “If Aiyuk didn’t come in (prepared) the way he did, he’d be screwed now with an injury.”
In other injury news, nose tackle D.J. Jones returned to practice after he suffered a concussion last week.
Out on Thomas: NFL Network reported Sunday the 49ers were expected to be among the teams inquiring about signing Earl Thomas, 31, after the seventime Pro Bowl free safety was released by the Ravens for conduct detrimental to the team.
However, Shanahan said that wasn’t a consideration.
“I’m really happy with our safeties,” Shanahan said. “Nothing against Earl, but there wasn’t interest because we have our team. We have the guys that we want at (that) spot. That’s how we planned it.”
The 49ers signed free safety Jimmie Ward to a threeyear, $28.5 million extension March.
Thomas was released after he was sent home Friday following a fight with teammate Chuck Clark.
Reed debuts: Recently signed tight end Jordan Reed, 30, who missed 2019 after suffering his seventh documented concussion, made his trainingcamp debut and took a handful of snaps in team drills.
Reed, who was signed Aug. 9, caught a short pass from C.J. Beathard in 11on11 work. Reed caught four passes in his four opportunities in a oneonone drill against the coverage of strong safety Jaquiski Tartt and backup free safety Tarvarius Moore, who each covered him twice.
“It was more just to get him out there,” Shanahan said. “When you’ve been out for a little while, you’ve got to go out and get your first practice in and take that monkey off your back. Hopefully, he accomplished that today from that standpoint mentally. But physically, I thought he looked real good.”
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle.