Last Sunday, Nick Bosa put on a Defensive Player of the Year performance. But his status for this week’s matchup with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is uncertain.
Bosa left the game with hamstring irritation and missed practice every single day this week. While that would typically be a sign that a player is ruled out, the 49ers have had star players like George Kittle, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel play on Sunday without practicing during the week.
Obviously, Bosa fits in that category, Kyle Shanahan said Friday.
He was listed as questionable, while Hassan Ridgeway (pectoral, expected out 6-8 weeks), Tarvarius Moore (knee, multiple weeks), Jimmy Garoppolo (7-8 weeks to heal, likely out for the season unless 49ers make a late playoff run) are all out.
Shanahan said next week’s short week in Seattle adds to the calculation with Bosa.
“Yeah, you definitely got to take that into account,” Shanahan said. “It’s not just, ‘Will he be effective on the short week on Thursday, but it’s, ‘Can you play in this game and the next one and the doctors and himself say it’s safe?’ So that’s what we’re all waiting for. And it’s not there yet.”
For now, the 49ers won’t place any of those in the list above in Ridgeway, Moore and Garoppolo on injured reserve.
“We don’t have to make a decision right now,” Shanahan said. “We’ll keep them that way until we have to [make a decision].”
That’s a product of the team having just two return spots available and both likely being used by Elijah Mitchell and Javon Kinlaw. The 16 players on the practice squad gives the 49ers a little more breathing room and roster flexibility.
As for the Buccaneers, both starting safeties and star tackle Tristan Wirfs are unlikely to play, per their injury report:
Doubtful
- S Mike Edwards (hamstring)
- S Antoine Winfield (ankle)
- T Tristan Wirfs (ankle, knee)
Questionable
- RB Leonard Fournette (foot),
- DT Akiem Hicks (foot)
- CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quadricep)
It’s a situation which should make things a bit easier for Brock Purdy in his first career start, and potentially open things up if the Buccaneers are solid, especially in communicating, on the backend.