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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Zach Kruse

49ers won’t have starting QB or top edge rusher vs. Packers

The Green Bay Packers won’t have to defend Brock Purdy or block Nick Bosa when the San Francisco 49ers arrive at Lambeau Field on Sunday. Kyle Shanahan’s team ruled out both players on the final injury report delivered Friday afternoon.

Purdy is dealing with a right shoulder injury coming out of last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was limited on Wednesday and Thursday and didn’t participate Friday. Veteran backup Brandon Allen — who is 2-7 as a starter in his NFL career — will start on Sunday.

Bosa has dealt with injuries to his hip and oblique muscles this season. He didn’t practice at all this week and won’t play Sunday, decimating an already underwhelming 49ers pass rush. Entering Week 12, Bosa has a team-high 52 pressures.

According to ESPN Stats and Information via Rob Demovsky, the 49ers have an 18 percent pressure rate and two percent sack rate without Bosa on the field this season. They would rank last in the NFL in both categories — suggesting the pass-rush facing Jordan Love and the Packers on Sunday could struggle for disruption.

Yetur Gross-Matos and Sam Okuayinonu will be asked to play snaps at edge rusher in Bosa’s absence. The 49ers are also without defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, the team’s top interior disruptor.

In addition to Purdy and Bosa, the 49ers also ruled out starting cornerback Charvarius Ward, who is still grieving following a death in the family. Linebacker Tatum Bethune, receiver Jacob Cowing and defensive tackle Keith Givens are also out. Left tackle Trent Williams didn’t practice this week but is questionable to play with the ankle injury he played through last week.

The Packers ruled out cornerback Jaire Alexander and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, two starters for Jeff Hafley’s defense.

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