San Francisco 49ers DE DeForest Buckner went down late in the fourth quarter of the team's game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Buckner wore an orthopedic boot on his left foot and did not practice with the team on Monday, but 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil is hopeful that the rookie and seventh overall draft pick will be ready to go against the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
"He's day-to-day right now and we're still optimistic for Thursday for him," said O'Neil.
With 1:45 left in the game, Buckner went down after a play with what appeared to be a left leg injury. He was able to walk off the field slowly with some assistance from team trainers. Buckner's injury has been officially listed as a foot injury.
Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area has described Buckner's chances of playing against he Cardinals as "doubtful."
Despite not having the stats to emphasize it, Buckner has been one of the team's top pass rushers this season per advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus. Through four weeks, he is graded second only to Arik Armstead as a pass rusher.
"DeForest Buckner has been able to affect far more plays than he's finished," said Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus prior to Week 4. "His six pressures are all QB hurries, and he only has three run stops, but Buckner is still the highest-graded rookie defensive lineman in the league."