The Cardinals got a better look at their Week 3 picture on Thursday, and the biggest takeaway was that several key names were back on the field.
Arizona had Max Melton, Isaac Seumalo, Josh Sweat and Dadrion Taylor-Demerson all practicing again in Tempe after rest days or injury-related absences. Mack Wilson Sr. also moved in the right direction, going from limited to full participation despite a thumb issue.
Not every update was encouraging. Roy Lopez was again absent because of a groin injury, leaving his availability very much in question. Hjalte Froholdt, dealing with a knee issue, and Garrett Williams, who is working through an Achilles problem, were both limited for a second straight day.
San Francisco’s report brought some movement of its own. Dre Greenlaw, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams all went from not practicing to full participants on Thursday. On the other side of the ledger, Nick Bosa, Mike Evans, Romello Height, Demarcus Robinson and James Thompson were all out of practice for a second consecutive day.
Both teams will hit the field once more before Friday evening’s injury designations, when players will be labeled questionable, out or doubtful.
The matchup also comes with plenty of respect on the Arizona side for San Francisco’s linebacker duo. Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett didn’t hide how much he admires Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
"Man, it wasn’t fun when they got back together for us in the division. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those guys - playing against them, being a fan of football and the way they play the linebacker position," Brissett said.
"As a fan, you appreciate it and as an opponent going against them, you need to make sure you know where they are. Obviously, a great test for us and (I’m) looking forward to it."
Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur echoed that sentiment, pointing to the way Warner and Greenlaw operate together and the years of continuity behind their partnership.
“They’re extremely talented. Their play style is elite.
They play well off each other. That’s like that camaraderie and the connection that those guys have from playing (together for) so many years.
It dates back to obviously drafting Fred and the development of Fred through that organization, bringing in a guy like (former 49ers LB) Kwon Alexander. Then when Kwon left, Dre really picked up right where Kwon left (off) and it’s been arguably the best tandem in football for some time.
He went away for a year and (then) was getting back last year. A lot of respect for those two as players.
If you guys saw the way they practiced, you’d have a lot of respect for them as well.”
In Other News...
49ers Suddenly Face A Nick Bosa Problem At The Worst Time
Nick Bosas name landing on the injury report with a calf issue is the sort of development that can change the mood around a team in a hurry. For a 49ers defense built around his ability to wreck games off the edge, any concern involving Bosa immediately carries extra weight, and the timing only adds to the unease.
The early buzz from NBC Sports Bay Areas Jennifer Lee Chan and other insiders has only sharpened the concern, with the possibility that the injury could cost him more than a week. There is still no official confirmation on the full extent of the issue, though, and Kyle Shanahan is expected to speak soon, which should bring the first real clarity on just how serious this problem might be. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Suddenly Have A Bigger Nick Bosa Problem Than Arizona
Nick Bosas latest setback leaves the 49ers facing more than just a one-game absence against Arizona. The star pass rusher was officially ruled out because of a calf injury he suffered in practice, and the outlook is now stretching beyond this weekend. San Francisco is still weighing whether to put him on injured reserve, a decision that would signal a longer detour for one of the leagues most important defenders.
The bigger concern is the broader health picture around Bosa, whose knee has been watched since training camp. What started as routine maintenance has now turned into another week-to-week question for a team that counts on him to shape games at the line of scrimmage. For a 49ers defense built around pressure up front, the timing makes the absence feel larger than the Cardinals matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Bosa Injury Just Put A Massive 49ers Decision In Play
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The financial angle is the part that makes this so complicated for the 49ers. Bosa carries a major cap hit, and his recent injury history only sharpens the pressure on a front office that may eventually have to weigh a pay cut, an outright release with dead money attached, or a post-June 1 move to soften the cap consequences. For a team that still builds around star talent, it is the kind of decision that can reshape both the roster and the payroll. [Read more 🡒]