The 49ers have one final practice on Friday before they ship off to Pittsburgh, and there are a handful of injury questions heading into the season opener against Pittsburgh.
Talanoa Hufanga (personal matter, knee) missed practice on Thursday, as did Charvarius Ward, who popped up with a heel injury.
Kyle Shanahan said Thursday on KNBR that Ward’s injury wasn’t a concern and that he was expected to play. On Friday, John Lynch joined Murph and Mac and gave a similar assessment, describing it as “a minor deal” that the team isn’t too worried about.
Below is what the rest of Thursday’s injury report looked like.
Limited:
- DE Nick Bosa (not injury related – resting player)
- LB Oren Burks (knee)
- S Tashaun Gipson (back)
- TE George Kittle (groin)
- RB Jordan Mason (foot)
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud (wrist)
- K Jake Moody (right quadricep)
While Lynch didn’t shed much light into how Nick Bosa will be used, he gave a positive review of George Kittle.
“He’s had a really positive week,” Lynch said. “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.”
The last update was on kicker Jake Moody, who Shanahan indicated was likely to play, barring a setback. It’s unclear if he would handle kickoff duties or just field goals if he’s cleared to go.
Lynch believes the time off has benefitted Moody.
“Very optimistic on Jake,” Lynch said. “He’s had a real nice week, couple weeks really, and I think it was a good reset for him to kind of go back, get a little rest, go back to his fundamentals. And the early returns you’re always looking after he kicked yesterday for instance, and so you want to see how he responds today, but everything’s been good. So we’re optimistic there and hoping that all is good and he’ll be the guy come Sunday.”
Friday’s practice will obviously determine where the team is at, officially on all these injuries. There are still some lingering questions over Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson Sr. and Ray-Ray McCloud.
Shanahan will provide an update after practice, before the team heads off to Pittsburgh.