Pass rusher Nick Bosa is dealing with a groin injury but hopes to be ready to go when his San Francisco 49ers face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Bosa was asked about the injury, which looked to occur during Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers.
The defensive end revealed that the injury actually occurred a week earlier.
"Just a little soreness after the Rams game, I think, is when it happened, honestly," Bosa admitted to reporters before Wednesday's practice. "And then I didn't manage it as well as I could of throughout the week. And then it kind of came out of nowhere because I was feeling good in the beginning of that game [against the Panthers]. Warmups kind of felt off, and then I knew it wasn't smart to keep going."
Bosa is getting healthy, though, and likes his chances of returning to the football field with his teammates for a crucial interconference matchup.
"I feel really good," Bosa said. "I've got to get into the practice week and see how it feels, but I'm pretty optimistic."
The 49ers dropped to 3-3 after their 28-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday. They'd love to add to their win total before facing their NFC West nemesis, the Los Angeles Rams, in Week 8. After that, Bosa and his teammates will enjoy some much-needed rest as the 49ers enter their bye week.
Jimmie Ward spoke with reporters in the locker room wearing a blue no-contact jersey. He also had a significant cast on his left hand, protecting it after undergoing surgery last week. The safety was asked if he could play with the cast.
"I don't think I have a choice," Ward responded. "But I've played with a club before."
Yes, he has. But it was nothing that compares to the size of the cast he is wearing now. Head coach Kyle Shanahan is eager to see how Ward makes it through practice this week before deciding if his safety can play against the Chiefs.
"We're just going to see how it goes out there with his cast, and how he feels doing it, and what he can get away with, and be safe with, and still perform. So we'll see how it goes," Shanahan said.
First look at Jimmie Ward and the club he has on his left hand … pic.twitter.com/MOdjKapxYx
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 19, 2022
After returning from injured reserve, the veteran safety suffered a broken hand on the opening kickoff against the Panthers.
"Being too aggressive," Ward explained. "Somebody already tackled the guy. I wanted to engage the guy again and wanted to wrestle with him."
Like Bosa, he is optimistic about his chances of playing against the Chiefs.
"I'm waiting to get cleared right now, but I should be cleared before the game," Ward said.
The 49ers are the most injured team in the league, including some of the key injuries suffered against the Falcons. The Chiefs are among the healthiest teams.
"We're pretty resilient," Bosa said. "When you have a team—any team, but this team especially—coming to town, you've got to shake that one off quick."
