San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and cornerback Charvarius Ward are set to return to action Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. Purdy, who missed last week's game with a shoulder injury, significantly improved during Thursday and Friday practices. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the quarterback will play in Week 13.
While Ward, absent since Week 8 following the heartbreaking death of his daughter, will also rejoin the lineup, the 49ers will be without another starting cornerback for the prime-time matchup.
Who's out?
The 49ers will finalize their inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff, but several players have already been ruled out. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir will miss the game due to a deep knee bone bruise sustained this week.
"It's kind of like a quad contusion, but it's right on the bone," Shanahan explained on Friday. "... Tried to go all week, and just couldn't get it to go."
The defensive line will also take a hit, as two key players are sidelined. Nick Bosa, who missed last week's win over the Green Bay Packers, is out with hip and oblique injuries. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott remains in the concussion protocol after suffering the head injury at Lambeau Field.
On offense, Purdy will play without All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, who didn't practice this past week due to the ankle injury that kept him out against the Packers. He isn't the only offensive lineman sidelined. Like Elliott, left guard Aaron Banks was in the concussion protocol this past week and was not cleared to face the Bills.
Greenlaw's ramp-up continues
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw was ruled out for Sunday night as the 49ers continue ramping up his activity following his return to practice. The team opened his 21-day practice window this past week, but Greenlaw was not activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list in time to play.
Shanahan remained cautious when asked about Greenlaw's potential availability for the next game, at home against the Chicago Bears.
"I think they're open to it, but also, the game after, that's a Thursday night game, so I think that makes it a little harder," Shanahan said. "So, we've got to see how he feels and stuff. But with those games being so close, that's a problem, too.
"So, I'm not going to decide at all right now. We'll see how next week goes, but I'd say it would be an outside chance."