The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their most crucial game of the season. A win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday would keep their playoff hopes alive in the NFC West, while a loss would likely end their chances of making the NFL Playoffs for a fourth consecutive season.
Unfortunately, it appears the 49ers may be without two key players, as star edge rusher Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams missed Thursday’s practice, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.
Bosa, dealing with multiple oblique injuries, and Williams, sidelined with an ankle injury, have not played since the Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Optimism About Nick Bosa’s Return
Nick Bosa, seen warming up before the 49ers’ Week 8 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, remains a question mark for Sunday’s game.
When asked on Wednesday about Bosa’s potential return, head coach Kyle Shanahan offered a cautiously optimistic response.
“I’m not God, but I think he’s got a chance to play this week,” Shanahan said. “So, I would think that would lead to getting a better chance each week. But I don’t know the answer to that.”
The 49ers are clearly eager to have the former Defensive Player of the Year back on the field as they fight to reclaim the division.
Since Bosa’s injury, San Francisco has managed only 20 pressures, per Pro Football Focus. By comparison, they totaled 31 pressures in the two games following their bye week with Bosa in the lineup.
Trent Williams Struggling to Return
Trent Williams, pictured preparing for a Week 5 matchup against the Cardinals, is also battling to return from injury.
While there’s hope for Bosa’s return on Sunday, Shanahan was less optimistic about Williams during Monday’s conference call with the media.
“Trent’s really trying to get back out here,” Shanahan said. “It’s just his ankle isn’t healing the way we want. We can’t get the swelling down. So that’s why I’d like to say it’s day-to-day, week-to-week because we’re expecting the swelling to go down and everything. It just hasn’t.”
Shanahan added, “So we’re trying
