49ers vs Packers injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 12

All the latest updates and news on the 49ers’ injury report ahead of a Week 12 game vs. the Packers.

The San Francisco 49ers will go into Week 12 without quarterback Brock Purdy and defensive end Nick Bosa.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Friday told reporters both players have been ruled out against the Green Bay Packers. Purdy is nursing a shoulder injury he sustained in Week 11. Bosa has hip and oblique injuries that derived from a hip injury he sustained leading up to Week 10.

With Purdy out, quarterback Brandon Allen will get the start with Josh Dobbs holding down the backup role. It will be Dobbs’s first time active for the 49ers.

Not listed are tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey. Both were limited during the week. Kittle had a hamstring issue. McCaffrey is still managing his Achilles tendinitis.

49ers injury report

Out

  • QB Brock Purdy (shoulder)
  • DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
  • CB Charvarius Ward (personal)
  • WR Jacob Cowing (concussion)
  • DT Kevin Givens (groin)

Questionable

  • LT Trent Williams (ankle)

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers may need to make special teams change in Week 12

An injury could force a change on special teams for the 49ers.

Injuries to defensive end Nick Bosa and quarterback Brock Purdy headline some potential health issues that could force changes on each side of the ball for the San Francisco 49ers when they visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

However, a concussion for rookie fourth-round wide receiver Jacob Cowing could push the 49ers into a change on special teams as well.

Cowing has handled punt return duties for the 49ers this season and sustained a concussion in Week 11 when he took a knee to the helmet on a punt return.

He was limited in Wednesday’s practice which provided some optimism that he may be able to pass concussion protocol in time to suit up Sunday. Thursday’s practice report showed Cowing as a non-participant, which throws his status for Sunday’s showdown with the Packers into doubt.

San Francisco has a handful of options to replace Cowing if he’s unable to clear protocol.

Second-year WR Ronnie Bell returned punts for the 49ers last season and worked in there during training camp. Rookie first-round WR Ricky Pearsall has also fielded punts in practice during his time with the 49ers. Pearsall also handled 15 punt returns during his two seasons at the University of Florida.

The only player to return a punt besides Cowing this year was fullback Kyle Juszczyk, but it’s unclear whether the team would want to utilize him there for an entire game. He’s also an option if the club isn’t confident in Bell or Cowing.

Veteran wide receiver Trent Taylor is also available on the practice squad. He’s spent most of his career as a reliable punt returner, and if Cowing is out there could be room for the team to elevate Taylor from the practice roster.

Cowing this season has returned 15 punts for 124 yards with a long of 31 yards. He’s also had two muffed punts, although one came when CB Darrell Luter Jr. was blocked into him.

We’ll find out Friday if Cowing has a chance to go Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Kyle Shanahan explains Brock Purdy’s early exit from practice

Brock Purdy left Thursday’s practice early. Head coach Kyle Shanahan shed some light on that:

There’s a question mark for the San Francisco 49ers under center as they enter a crucial Week 12 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback Brock Purdy sustained a right shoulder injury in the team’s Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks that head coach Kyle Shanahan classified as ‘soreness.’ Purdy was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday’s practices.

He didn’t throw at all Wednesday in the portion of practices open to reporters. Thursday reporters noted Purdy did some light throwing before leaving the field.

Shanahan in an interview on KNBR after practice explained where things stand with the 49ers’ QB heading into Friday.

“He was still limited today,” Shanahan told host Adam Copeland. “He didn’t do as much yesterday, but did a little bit more today. He went out there and did a little bit then went back in about halfway through and rested up. Hopefully it will be feeling great on Sunday.”

It’s interesting that Shanahan said Purdy left the field to rest. There’s no real clarity on whether this is a maintenance issue for Purdy or if he’s unable to throw.

If it’s the former he should be on track to play Sunday in Green Bay. If it’s the latter we may see the team turn to backup QB Brandon Allen in the biggest game of the season.

Friday isn’t liable to provide a ton of clarity unless Purdy practices in full and isn’t on the injury report. He could also be listed as ‘questionable’ which could leave the lingering question mark hanging around until inactives are announced 90 minutes before kickoff.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

No news is bad news in 49ers Week 12 injury update

The 49ers practice report didn’t get much better Thursday.

The San Francisco 49ers continued their practice week without any major updates on the injury front.

Perhaps the best news is that running back Christian McCaffrey returned to action after getting a rest day Wednesday. He got limited sessions in to start the first two weeks after his return, so there was a small red flag that went up when he was listed as a non-participant for rest in Week 12. His return to a limited practice Thursday is a good sign that things will be business as usual Friday and he won’t be on the injury report.

The other change was a concerning one for rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing. He was a limited participant Wednesday while working through concussion protocol. Then Thursday he was a non-participant, indicating he may have had a setback that puts his status in jeopardy for Sunday.

Here’s what the Thursday practice report looked like:

Did not participate

WR Jacob Cowing (concussion)
LB Tatum Bethune (knee)

DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
DT Kevin Givens (groin)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

No Bosa and no Williams is a pretty significant concern. Both players played through injuries in Week 11, which gives some hope they may be able to do the same in Week 12. However, Bosa is dealing with hip and oblique issues now after just being listed with a hip injury last week. He also pulled himself out of the 49ers’ most recent loss. Williams didn’t practice leading up to Week 11 which gives some optimism he may be able to do the same this week, but even a limited participation Friday would be a good sign.

Limited participation

RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, rest)
C Jon Feliciano (knee)
TE George Kittle (hamstring)
QB Brock Purdy (right shoulder)
CB Charvarius Ward (not injury related – personal matter)

Another limited workout for Purdy is certainly concerning. Kittle remains optimistic about his return for Week 12, and head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Ward’s return to practice doesn’t guarantee he’ll be able to suit up Sunday after his absence.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

What to make of Christian McCaffrey’s absence from 49ers practice

Christian McCaffrey wasn’t in practice Wednesday, but there’s no real cause for concern.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey sat out the team’s practice Wednesday in the lead up to a Week 12 showdown with the Green Bay Packers.

This is a slight departure from McCaffrey’s routine during his first two weeks back with the club after a nine-week absence due to Achilles tendinitis. During those first two weeks he was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before getting a full practice in Friday.

Wednesday of Week 12 was a little different. The 49ers listed McCaffrey as a non-participant. His Achilles injury is still listed, but they also specified that his absence was for rest and was not injury related.

It makes sense that the team would rest McCaffrey given his workload in a Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He played 59 snaps and notched 19 carries along with four receptions. The 23 touches were four more than his 19 the week prior.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated the team plans to continue utilizing McCaffrey as much as possible in games, so an additional day off during the week would behoove a team trying to manage an Achilles issue for its superstar running back.

Chances are McCaffrey is back Thursday and ready to suit up Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

If he isn’t back Thursday, there may be a bigger issue. For now, his absence is simply a rest day.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers 1st Week 12 practice report littered with injured stars

The 49ers practice report to open Week 12 is rough:

The San Francisco 49ers can’t seem to escape the injury bug in the 2024 season.

Their first practice participation report of Week 12 featured nine players either out or limited due to injury. Of those nine, five are starters who were either All-Pros or Pro Bowlers just last season.

Most teams by this point of the season have multiple players banged up and dealing with injuries, but for the 49ers it seems as though all of their most important players have dealt with injuries of varying degrees of severity at some point during the year.

With another huge game coming up and their playoff hopes potentially on the line, the 49ers need to hope their injury luck turns around quickly in the lead up to Sunday’s showdown with the Green Bay Packers.

Here’s Wednesday’s participation report:

Did not participate

LB Tatum Bethune (knee)
DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
DT Kevin Givens (groin)
RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, rest)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

Bethune sprained his MCL in Week 11 and figures to miss multiple weeks. Bosa played through his hip injury two weeks ago and now appears to have caused additional damage that puts his chances to play against the Packers in jeopardy. Givens was seen getting work in on a side field late last week, which gives some optimism of an eventual return. A non-participation for him isn’t a great sign for his chances to play this week. McCaffrey will likely be out or limited of every practice as part of the team’s management of his Achilles injury, while Williams is nursing an ankle issue he played through last week.

Limited participation

WR Jacob Cowing (concussion)
C Jon Feliciano (knee)
TE George Kittle (hamstring)
QB Brock Purdy (right shoulder)
CB Charvarius Ward (not injury related – personal matter)

Cowing sustained a concussion on a punt return last week. He’ll need to clear concussion protocol to suit up in Green Bay. Feliciano may be an answer for the 49ers on the offensive line, but he’s yet to be activated off IR. Kittle told reporters he’s confident he’ll play in Week 12, but they may still limit him during the week as a precaution. Purdy sustained a shoulder injury in Week 11 that will require some management during the week by San Francisco. That he was limited is a good sign. Ward was also back on the practice field after time away from the team to work through a personal tragedy.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers to add familiar face at DE to practice squad per NFL insider

The 49ers are unsurprisingly adding some internal depth at DE.

The San Francisco 49ers are making a move to improve their defensive end depth.

NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero on Wednesday reported Jonathan Garvin is returning to San Francisco’s practice squad for the third time this season. He was released on Sept. 11 and re-signed to the practice squad in early October. He was released again in late October.

Now he’ll return to the 49ers’ 16-man practice roster. That group is full for San Francisco so there will be a corresponding move, but it’s unclear which player the 49ers will let go to make room for Garvin.

Adding internal depth at DE makes sense given San Francisco’s issues rushing the passer and a recent hip/oblique injury to DE Nick Bosa. Without Bosa the 49ers have leaned on Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal. That group struggled late in the 49ers’ Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks so the team may just be looking to add another body who can be added to the rotation if Bosa winds up missing time.

There’s no guarantee Bosa will be out for Week 12. Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday said there’s a chance the one-time Defensive Player of the Year will be able to suit up. If he can’t go, we may see Garvin up with the active roster for the first time this season.

Garvin has played in 38 games with one start across three seasons as a pro. He has 32 tackles and 1.5 sacks in the regular season. He posted three pressures and one quarterback hit in three preseason games for San Francisco this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers optimistic about George Kittle’s return vs. Packers

George Kittle back?

The San Francisco 49ers had to navigate Week 11 without All-Pro tight end George Kittle. It sounds like they may get him back in Week 12 when they visit the Green Bay Packers.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday spoke with reporters in a conference call and had a positive update on the superstar tight end who was out of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks because of a hamstring injury.

“He should practice on Wednesday,” Shanahan said. “I know it was close yesterday, so I think he should be good for practice on Wednesday.”

Kittle sustained what Shanahan called ‘hamstring irritation’ during the team’s Week 10 game vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The head coach sounded optimistic in the lead up to Week 11 that Kittle would be able to play. The TE missed Wednesday’s practice before getting limited sessions in Thursday and Friday. He was officially questionable before getting ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff when the team announced its inactives.

The 49ers struggled on offense without Kittle. They averaged 4.9 yards per play in their least efficient outing of the year. In the passing game they badly missed Kittle as a safety valve and explosive play creator. Their longest pass play of the game was 22 yards and only Jauan Jennings had more than 27 receiving yards.

Urgency is even higher now for the 49ers after Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks, and getting a player like Kittle back for their showdown with the Packers would be a huge boost for an offense that needs it.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers injury updates aren’t great news for QB and ailing superstar DE

The San Francisco 49ers have injury issues at two of the most important positions on their roster entering Week 12.

The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a handful of injuries following a disastrous Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

A pair of those injuries are to key starters for the 49ers as their margin for error in the race for the postseason shrank to almost nothing.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday told reporters in a conference call that defensive end Nick Bosa is dealing with hip and oblique injuries. The team will evaluate Bosa throughout the week, and Shanahan said it’s possible Bosa could suit up for Sunday’s game against the Packers in Green Bay.

Quarterback Brock Purdy also showed up in Shanahan’s Monday update after not being there immediately after Sunday’s game. Shanahan said Purdy is day-to-day with right shoulder soreness. This is the second time Purdy has been banged up during a game this season and was considered day-to-day during the week. He also hurt his back against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3, but was a full participant in practice for all of Week 4.

Both Purdy and Bosa’s statuses on the practice reports starting Wednesday will be worth monitoring closely.

Shanahan also said rookie wide receiver and punt returner Jacob Cowing is in the concussion protocol after taking a hit to the head on a punt return. If he can’t clear the protocol, the team may turn to second-year WR Ronnie Bell or rookie WR Ricky Pearsall to take those punt return snaps.

Rookie linebacker Tatum Bethune was also hurt early in the game on kick coverage. He’s working through a sprained MCL that will keep him out awhile per Shanahan.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers injury update: George Kittle inactive vs. Seahawks

No George Kittle for the 49ers today.

The San Francisco 49ers have officially ruled out tight end George Kittle for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Kittle suffered a hamstring injury in Week 10 that head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t seem concerned about when he spoke with media Monday. Shanahan said Kittle would miss Wednesday’s practice as part of the management of that injury. Kittle returned to action Thursday and Friday, but isn’t able to play Sunday.

His absence will be welcome news for the Seahawks after he got them for a pair of touchdowns in the 49ers’ win over Seattle back in Week 6.

Here are the 49ers Week 11 inactives:

QB Josh Dobbs (QB3)
CB Charvarius Ward (Personal)
TE George Kittle (hamstring)
DL Kevin Givens (groin)
OL Ben Bartch
DL Khalil Davis
WR Ronnie Bell

Not among the inactives are defensive end Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams. Bosa is working through a hip injury, while Williams missed the entire week of practice because of an ankle issue.

Bosa told reporters his hip injury bothered him a lot in the team’s Week 10 victory in Tampa Bay. He had a light week of practice that allowed him to be ready for Sunday. Don’t be surprised if he winds up on a shorter rotation than normal while he manages his injury.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]