Two San Francisco 49ers have been rules out for Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Head coach Jim Tomsula stated on Friday that
LB Michael Wilhoite and
LG Alex Boone were definitely out. Wilhoite has a high ankle sprain while Boone has a sprained MCL.
LB Aaron Lynch and
WR Torrey Smith are listed as questionable. Lynch remains in the concussion protocol this week. While he has practiced, he has done so in a blue no-contact jersey. Smith practiced for the first time on Friday after dealing with back issues.
A massive 18 players appeared as probable on the 49ers' injury report.
The 49ers and Bengals kick off at 1:25 PM on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers
Out: LG Alex Boone (knee), LB Michael Wilhoite (ankle)
Questionable: OLB Aaron Lynch (concussion), WR Torrey Smith (back, toe), CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)
Probable: DT Arik Armstead (shoulder), WR Anquan Boldin (hamstring), LB Navorro Bowman (shoulder, finger), LB Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), CB Marcus Cromartie (hip), DT Quinton Dial (shoulder), RB Kendall Gaskins (concussion), LB Eli Harold (shoulder, hamstring), C Marcus Martin (ankle), TE Vance McDonald (concussion), T Erik Pears (knee), DT Mike Purcell (shoulder), S Eric Reid (shoulder), WR Jerome Simpson (finger), T Joe Staley (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (ankle), G Andrew Tiller (knee), S Jimmie Ward (elbow)
Cincinnati Bengals
Out: QB Andy Dalton (thumb), TE Tyler Eifert (concussion), T Jake Fisher (concussion), S George Iloka (groin)
Probable: C Russell Bodine (finger), LB Vontaze Burfict (knee), CB Leon Hall (back), DE Michael Johnson (back), CB Adam Jones (foot), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee), T Andrew Whitworth (knee)
Earlier this year, NFL teams were expecting a significant salary-cap increase in 2021. A new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) had been struck, and future television contracts should have increased revenue opportunities, and with it, the ability to spend more on players.
Then COVID-19 happened.
Here we are, entering the sixth month of a pandemic. The timeframe is longer if you look at the worldwide impact. The coronavirus has impacted everyone's daily lives, and the sports world has not been immune to the effects.
There probably won't be fans in NFL stadiums. Teams that are allowed to have the public attend games will have to limit the number of spectators.
That will impact
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and the team's contract negotiators continue to work diligently to come to an agreement with tight end George Kittle's agent, Jack Bechta, on an extension. Fans were probably hoping that would have been finalized by now, with training camp well underway.
The situation isn't something that head coach Kyle Shanahan has to be too concerned with, for now. He remains focused on preparing his players for an unprecedented and unpredictable 2020 season, set to be played amid a pandemic. Shanahan's focus is on football and not contract negotiations.
That's the job of Lynch and his staff.
Still, Shanahan knows how important Kittle is to the 49ers. He's a special player who the coach considers to be the best
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on KNBR this morning that tight end George Kittle will report to training camp despite the player and his agent seeking a contract extension. Kittle, along with other veterans, will report to the Santa Clara facility for COVID-19 testing today.
Kittle will eventually become the league's highest-paid tight end. While saying he expects his talented offensive star to be among the veterans reporting, Lynch didn't want to put a timeline on any impending deal, saying that the 49ers and Kittle's agent, Jack Bechta, remain in good communication.
49ers coaches have remained in contact with Kittle all offseason.
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