Kyle

Juszczyk

The 49ers will be without Bosa, FB Kyle Juszczyk (knee), DL James Thompson Jr. (ankle) and S Marques Sigle (ankle) for this divisional showdown, making life a little easier on their opponent.

This injury looked like a potential season-ender when it first occurred, so a 2-3 week absence is great news for Juszczyk and the Niners. Assuming this return timeline is accurate, Juszczyk should be able to avoid being placed on injured reserve and could return as early as Week 7, when the Niners visit the Falcons.

This would be very good news for Juszczyk, as the injury appeared far worse in real time. According to Rap, the team believes Juszczyk’s ACL is believed to be intact, but he will undergo an MRI to confirm. The veteran fullback is still likely looking at a multi-week absence, which could impact Christian McCaffrey’s effectiveness in the running game, but it sounds like he avoided the worst here.

Juszczyk suffered what looked to be a serious knee injury in the fourth quarter and didn’t return to the game after being helped off the field. He would constitute an outsized loss for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, particularly his run game designs. A long-term absence for the trusted Shanny fullback could be something of a blow for Christian McCaffrey’s weekly prospects.

Kittle gets in another limited practice ahead of the 49ers’ Week 1 Australia game against the Rams. We expect him to continue to get limited practices in beyond this week as the 32-year-old nurses his Achilles. Also limited was FB Kyle Juszczyk (finger). Both are still in line to play this week.

Juszczyk missed practice Wednesday due to a broken finger. Also missing practice was WR Jacob Cowing, who was dealing with a hip flexor strain. It is unclear how much time the two will miss, but add them to the long list of offensive skill player injuries for the 49ers in training camp.

Juicecheck had his most prolific regular season in terms of catches and touches since 2021, recording a 24-213-2 receiving line in the regular season and a 4/49 performance in the Wild Card round against the Eagles. He’ll enter free agency again this offseason and figures to be a low-priority target for the 49ers entering his age-35 season.

Juice scored on an unreal play from quarterback Brock Purdy in which the former Mr. Irrelevant evaded two would-be sacks to deliver the football to the left corner of the end zone and into the waiting hands of Juszczyk. The veteran fullback remains unlikely to see meaningful volume on a weekly basis but his moderate snap rates keep a sporadic touchdown within his range of outcomes.

Juszczyk will be evaluated after the 49ers’ Week 14 bye. The veteran fullback has totaled 20 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown this season, and continues to serve primarily as a run blocker in Shanahan’s offense.

49ers starting QB Brock Purdy (toe/left shoulder) has been cleared to play, so Jones has been put back into the No. 2 spot. He played admirably in his two starts, completing 53-of-80 passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns and one interception and rushing seven times for five yards despite aggravating a summer PCL sprain in Week 3. For fantasy managers in two-quarterback leagues with no one better to stash, he can be left on the bench this week to see how Purdy’s health holds up. For everyone else, he can be dropped. The 49ers also ruled out WR Jordan Watkins (calf) and DT CJ West (thumb). FB Kyle Juszczyk passed the NFL’s concussion protocol and will be active for Week 4 against the Jaguars.