Nick Bosa is one of several San Francisco 49ers players who will not participate in practice on Wednesday as the team begins preparations for its Week 14 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The star defensive end has missed the last two games due to hip and oblique injuries.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed optimism that Bosa could return to action this weekend but acknowledged the unpredictability of injury recoveries. When asked if there's a chance Bosa might not play again this season, Shanahan offered a candid response.
"I'm not God, but I think he's got a chance to play this week," Shanahan said on Wednesday. "So, I would think that would lead to getting a better chance each week. But I don't know the answer to that."
Bosa isn't the only 49ers player sidelined for the week's first practice. Tackle Trent Williams continues to recover from an ankle injury and won't participate. Guard Aaron Banks remains in the concussion protocol and will also sit out, along with linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who is nursing a knee injury.
Running back Jordan Mason, who suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills, is still expected to be placed on injured reserve in the coming days, Shanahan confirmed.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles), and safety Talanoa Hufanga (wrist) will be limited practice participants on Wednesday. Hufanga is practicing with a cast on his hand as he works to return from injured reserve.
Shanahan stated it's realistic for Greenlaw to be activated ahead of Week 15's game against the Los Angeles Rams. However, the team prefers not to rush him back for this weekend due to the short turnaround to the next game.
"We haven't decided fully yet, but we'll see how this week goes," Shanahan said. "But most likely Rams, hopefully."
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has seen limited targets recently, which Shanahan attributed partly to the rookie getting "a little banged up" in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers.
"Battled through that a lot, still was able to play a lot through it, and helped us out at punt return," Shanahan explained. "And I don't judge much from that Buffalo game. I think we had six completions that were screens, and I think four other guys had like a four-yard catch, except for [WR] Jauan [Jennings] on a skinny. So, there was nothing really with Ricky there.
"We had a chance to hit him downfield one time and he slipped, but that was nothing against him for that game."