It’s unlikely we see the San Francisco 49ers ‘tank’ to close the 2024 season with so much on the line for so many players.
However, it wouldn’t be a shock if some of their injured veterans who have contractual security wind up taking a step back instead of battling through their ailments.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday indicated left tackle Trent Williams may wind up being shut down for the year. In Thursday’s practice report defensive end Nick Bosa also showed up as a non-participant following a limited session Wednesday.
Bosa is working through hip and oblique injuries that cost him three games before he stepped back into the lineup for Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams.
The obvious concern for the 49ers as they navigate the fine line between finishing out the season strong and not jeopardizing their key veterans’ health in the future is keeping players like Bosa healthy for the 2025 season. Scaling him back in the run up to Week 16 isn’t a major surprise. It would be equally unsurprising if he winds up slowing down his attempts to return by season’s end with an eye toward a fully healthy 2025 campaign.
Did not participate
DT Maliek Collins (illness)
RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)
DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
Limited participation
LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee)
OT Jaylon Moore (hip)
S Malik Mustapha (chest)
G Nick Zakelj (illness)
Full participation
G Aaron Banks (elbow)
S Ji’Ayir Brown (groin)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
LB Dee Winters (neck)
