The San Francisco 49ers will be without defensive end Nick Bosa when they face the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Bosa is one of six 49ers players ruled out for the Week 7 matchup, joining wide receiver Mike Evans.
Bosa has missed the past four games with a calf injury. The star pass rusher previously expressed optimism that he would be ready to face the Falcons and even hoped to return for the 49ers' Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
Neither scenario came to fruition.
RELATED 49ers vs. Falcons final injury report: Nick Bosa, Mike Evans among 6 ruled out for Week 7
"I just think he was a little too optimistic, especially for Bosa, because he's pretty accurate," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after Friday's practice. "He doesn't say stuff like that unless it's accurate, and I just think it surprised him. He worked out after he said that to you guys, and the next day he was just a little sore, which surprised all of us.
"That wasn't a great sign, especially going to play on turf and stuff this week. So, I think it was more that he was just a little too optimistic."
A unique game-day situation for Shanahan
With so many players dealing with injuries, the 49ers face an unusual challenge heading into Sunday's game. San Francisco will likely have fewer than the maximum 48 players available on game day.
Shanahan said that could mean leaving players as active who are typically inactive, including quarterback Kurtis Rourke and offensive lineman Enrique Cruz.
Asked whether he could recall ever entering a game with fewer than the maximum number of players available, Shanahan acknowledged that the situation was unprecedented in his experience.
"No, I don't think so," he responded. "I don't think here. I don't think ever in my career. So, it's a unique situation."
Could that force players into unfamiliar roles if injuries happen during the game?
"That's stuff we've talked about throughout the week," Shanahan said. "I hope it doesn't get to it, and odds are it won't, but it definitely could. You're always a few positions, injuries away from those situations, and now it comes down to a couple, so the percentages go up."
More info on: Nick Bosa, Enrique Cruz, Mike Evans, Kurtis Rourke
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