Bourne put back on COVID-19 reserve list
SANTA ELARA >> Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne returned to the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list Monday, three days after he and three others came off it.
It is not known if Bourne again tested positive. His agent did not immediately return comment Monday, and the 49ers are not permitted to reveal whether players test positive or came into contact with someone who has contracted the coronavirus.
The 49ers learned last Wednesday that Bourne had tested positive, then put him and three high-risk player contacts on the COVID-19 reserve list: left tackle Trent Williams and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo
Samuel.
Once Bourne and those 49ers tested negative on back-to-back days, they came off the COVID-19 list Friday.
But their absence clearly impacted the shortstaffed 49ers in Thursday night’s 34-17 home loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The 49ers (4- 5) play Sunday at the New Orleans Saints (6-2) and Bourne’s availability is again in jeopardy. SHERMAN CLEARED TO PRACTICE >> Richard Sherman is resuming practice this week with the 49ers, whose 2020 outlook has changed drastically since he last took the field, in their Sept. 13 season opener.
The 49ers (4- 5) have missed Sherman’s presence along with so many other injured starters in what’s becoming a futile defense of their NFC title.
After a season-opening loss against the Arizona Cardinals, Sherman went on injured reserve with a calf injury, and a setback in his recovery last month required undisclosed injections. The 49ers have said Sherman’s issue is not affiliated with the Achilles he tore in 2017 to end his Seattle Seahawks tenure.
The 49ers have three weeks to evaluate Sherman and activate him off Injured Reserve. The 49ers, after the weekend off, reconvened Monday for meetings, weight lifting and a walk-through practice.
Sherman had started all but three games the previous two seasons since joining the 49ers.
Since he exited this season’s lineup, the 49ers have started multiple combinations of cornerbacks, but it’s mostly been Jason Verrett entering in place of Sherman to pair with Emmanuel Moseley, as was the case the past three games. Other cornerbacks to start were Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson and Brian Allen.
While Sherman apparently has made progress, defensive end Dee Ford remains entrenched on injured reserve since exiting in Week 2 with a back injury.
The 49ers’ secondary again could be losing safety Jaquiski Tartt, whose toe injury forced him from Thursday night’s 34-17 loss to Green Bay.
Marcell Harris has replaced Tartt throughout the past 2 1/2 seasons, but the 49ers have another safety now on the roster. Johnathan Cyprien, who officially was promoted from the practice squad and onto the 53-man roster Monday.
Wide receiver River Cracraft also got promoted from the practice squad, rather than seldom-used Kevin White. Chris Finke, another receiver, was re-signed to the practice squad.