San Francisco 49ers center Weston Richburg was activated off the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on August 26. He is listed as questionable for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but head coach Kyle Shanahan sounds hopeful the team will have its starting center in the lineup at kickoff.
"I do think he's got a chance," Shanahan told reporters on Friday. "He's had a good week. It's gotten better each day. It's a big thing traveling this far. We want to see how he reacts on the plane. Sometimes, guys who are going through things, they can swell up a little bit.
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"We'll see how he is tomorrow, but it's been a solid week."
Three 49ers players have been ruled out of Sunday's game. Wide receiver Trent Taylor (foot) was not expected to play and won't. Defensive back Jimmie Ward had surgery on a broken finger on Thursday and also won't be in the lineup. Rookie receiver Jalen Hurd had a chance, but did not practice this week and won't play in Tampa.
Ward could return next week with a cast over his hand, said Shanahan.
Like Richburg, rookie defensive end Nick Bosa (ankle), cornerback Jason Verrett (ankle), and cornerback K'Waun Williams (knee) are also listed as questionable. Shanahan, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and general manager John Lynch have already confirmed Bosa will play, even if he's not quite at 100 percent.
"Similar to what I just said about Richburg, definitely not all the way there, yet, but had a good week," Shanahan said of Bosa, "I'm encouraged about it. We went half walk-through today, half full-speed. We'll get on this plane, which you're always a little nervous about with how long it is and stuff, and we'll see how those guys react tomorrow when we get them up and running a little bit."
The 49ers and Buccaneers kick off from Raymond James Stadium on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT (4:25 p.m. ET).
