SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are looking forward to the potential return of their star tight end, George Kittle, for an important matchup against the Green Bay Packers this week. However, there are uncertainties surrounding the availability of their lead pass rusher, Nick Bosa.
In their last contest, a narrow 20-17 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks, the 49ers (5-5) were without both Kittle and Bosa. This game marked their third loss of the season after leading late, putting their playoff aspirations in jeopardy.
Kittle, who missed the entire game due to a hamstring injury, returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, expressing confidence that he would be ready to play come Sunday.
In Kittle’s absence, the 49ers struggled offensively, tying their season-low for points and recording only 277 yards— the fewest they have managed since Week 6 of the previous season against Cleveland.
Bosa exited the game in the third quarter with injuries to his left hip and oblique, while already nursing a similar ailment on his right side that he described as extremely painful. On Wednesday, he acknowledged that the left injury feels worse but noted that he is making positive strides, suggesting that playing on Sunday is still a possibility.
“It gets better every day,” Bosa shared. “We’ll see. Definitely a little early to call it either way, so we’ll find out. We have a few days.”
His absence significantly contributed to the 49ers’ inability to hold their lead, a recurring issue they faced earlier in the season against the Rams and the Cardinals.
At the time Bosa was injured, Seattle’s offense was generating just 3.6 yards per play and had scored only six points. After Bosa’s departure, that figure jumped to 6.3 yards per play, allowing the Seahawks to score two touchdowns during their last three drives.
The loss against Seattle has placed the 49ers in a three-way tie for second place in the NFC West, trailing the first-place Arizona Cardinals. With little room for error needed to revitalize their playoff chances after last season’s Super Bowl appearance, the team is on alert.
“Obviously, you don’t want to be down and feel sorry for yourself, but you don’t want to act like nothing’s wrong,” Bosa stated. “We know what we need to do and that finishing games is paramount. We’re close in most of our losses and could easily be 8-2. It just shows that with better performance throughout the game, we can compete with anyone.”
In other injury updates, quarterback Brock Purdy had limited participation in practice due to a right shoulder injury sustained in Sunday’s game, but the coaching staff anticipates he will be available to play on Sunday.
Running back Christian McCaffrey was rested on Wednesday to manage his Achilles tendinitis, which had previously sidelined him for the first eight games this season.
Additionally, star left tackle Trent Williams took a rest day while managing an ankle injury that kept him from participating in practice last week.
NOTES: Linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee) and defensive tackle Kevin Givens (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. Cornerback Charvarius Ward was limited in his first practice session since the tragic passing of his one-year-old daughter on October 28. Coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that a decision on Ward’s participation would be made later in the week. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing (concussion protocol) and offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (knee) were also limited. San Francisco has signed defensive lineman Jonathan Garvin to their practice squad.