Nick Bosa is back. The final practice of the week has concluded. 49ers football is two days away from its return.
For the most part, Kyle Shanahan offered positive news on Friday. There were seven players listed as limited in Thursday’s practice, and two who did not practice. By Friday, only two players were on the injury report, and both were listed as questionable:
- TE George Kittle (groin)
CB Charvarius Ward (heel)
Based on what Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch said the past two days on KNBR, Ward is likely to play. John Lynch described the heel injury as “a minor deal” on Friday morning and Shanahan said he expected him to play.
As far as Kittle goes, the All-Pro tight end told reporters this week that he feels “wonderful” and was looking forward to playing football this weekend.
“He’s had a really positive week,” Lynch said of Kittle. “So same thing, see how he responds to yesterday, which was the tough practice. But he looks like George Kittle and that’s a good thing. He looked really good out there yesterday.”
Thursday, though, was the 49ers’ one true intense practice of the week, so seeing how Kittle responded was part of the equation.
Everyone else, though, is cleared. That includes both starting safeties in Tashaun Gipson Sr. (back), Talanoa Hufanga (knee), Jake Moody (right quad), Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist), Jordan Mason (foot) and Oren Burks (knee).
Most notably of all, Nick Bosa is good to go. Shanahan declined to specify how he’ll be utilized, but said there’s a plan.
“We’ve got an idea how we’ve going to use him, and I think he’ll do alright,” Shanahan said.
For the Steelers, their lone injury designation was for defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who is listed as questionable with a foot injury.