The San Francisco 49ers continued their weekly gymnastics. For the second straight week, the team released Ogbo Okoronkwo.
He played 17 snaps Monday night. Nick Bosa hasn’t practiced all week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan ruled out Bosa. That means the 49ers will be behind. The team will likely re-sign Okoronkwo to the practice squad on Saturday and elevate him to the active roster to play against the Falcons.
Shanahan said Bosa was “a little too optimistic” when he said a few weeks ago that he would definitely play in Week 7. Shanahan added that Bosa was “a little sore” during his first practice after telling the media he would play, which “surprised all of us.”
Shanahan said that was not a good sign with a grass-court match coming up, then returned to Bosa, overly optimistic about his return.
Mike Evans also missed Friday’s session. Shanahan ruled out Evans. The 49ers will play their first game of the season without their star receiver. Evans missed time in a few games and remains the team’s leader in several categories.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said the ball would find Jordan Watkins. For Watkins and Jacob Cowing, Atlanta could be their last chance to impress the coaching staff live. The 49ers have a bye week in Week 8. Heading into Week 9, veterans Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel could return to the lineup.
We’re heading into the debut of Christian Kirk. Because the team released Okonkwo, it doesn’t need to create another spot for Kirk, who practiced all week.
Here is the injury report:
WR Deebo Samuel
LB Garret Wallow
EDGE Nick Bosa
S Brands Acronym
WR Mike Evans
LB Luke Gifford
S Siran Neal
CB Upton Stout
WR Christian Kirk
Shanahan confirmed that Kirk’s inclusion on the injury report is a procedural measure.
The 49ers will enter this game with fewer than the usual 48 players. Shanahan said players like Kurtis Rourke and perhaps Enrique Cruz would be active on Sunday. He joked that those two would be the emergency receivers.
This will be the first game Shanahan plays with fewer than the maximum number of players. “I don’t think. I don’t think here. I never think in my career. It’s a unique situation.”
Shanahan explained that we are always a few injuries away from these types of situations. Still, the chances of having emergency players having to fill positions they wouldn’t normally play increases with all the injuries on the roster.
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