SANTA CLARA — Neither Nick Bosa nor Trent Williams practiced for a third straight week, and that’s not great news for a 49ers team trying to shake a three-game losing streak in Sunday’s homecoming against the Chicago Bears.
Bosa was able to show enough progress to not be ruled out Friday, but he is doubtful. Williams officially is out, as are running back Jordan Mason, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety George Odum
While Bosa has been sidelined since a third-quarter oblique strain Nov. 17 against Seattle, Williams’ hiatus is traced. mainly to an ankle injury but he’s also been coping with personal issues after his son was stillborn Nov. 24.
Left guard Aaron Banks is questionable, having missed the 38-10 loss at Buffalo because of a concussion from the loss to Seattle. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is also questionable after returning to practice this week as the 49ers evaluate whether to activate him off Injured Reserve.
RUNNING BACK OPTIONS
Isaac Guerendo looks in line to start at running back, with Patrick Taylor Jr. as the next-best option, while the 49ers move past last Sunday’s season-ending injuries to Christian McCaffrey (knee) and Mason (ankle). The 49ers put McCaffrey back on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, having spent eight weeks on IR with Achilles tendinitis before his Nov. 9 activation. Mason is expected to move onto IR on Saturday.
For further depth, Israel Abanikanda was claimed off waivers from the New York Jets, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn as re-signed to the practice squad.
PURDY ALL CLEAR
Two weeks since missing the 49ers’ 38-10 loss at Green Bay because of a shoulder injury, quarterback Brock Purdy had no setbacks in his return last Sunday at Buffalo and is full-go for this game.
“He’s good. He had to wait a while give him rest and make sure it healed,” Shanahan said. “Glad to get him back to full speed and get him back to practice.”
BEARS INJURIES
Bears running back D’Andre Swift and wide receiver D.J. Moore are both questionable after quadriceps injuries forced them to miss back-to-back practices before Friday’s limited return.
Center Ryan Bates (concussion) and safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) are out. Swift’s backup, Roschon Johnson, will not play because of a concussion.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen (ankle) is fully expected to play despite missing Wednesday’s practice.
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DEEBO ‘IS THE KEY’
Deebo Samuel may be enduring one of his most sideways seasons but that hasn’t diminished opponents’ respect.
Said Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington: “Deebo Samuel, he’s a very versatile player, can play multiple positions: Tailback, slot, wide receiver. He’s the key to everything they desire to do.”
Samuel has not unlocked the 49ers offense, either as a wide receiver (38 catches, 531 yards, one touchdown) or a running back (27 carries, 79 yards, one touchdown).
HALL OF FAME COMPLIMENT
In the wake of McCaffrey’s season-ending knee injury, he wrote an extensive message on Instagram this week depicting his love for the game, and it won the admiration of general manager John Lynch. “That deal he wrote was beautiful,” Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. “I told him, ‘Hey you wrote your Hall of Fame speech, or an excerpt for it.’ He encompassed what football is all about and why we all love it, as much as anybody I’ve ever heard.”
McCaffrey’s words on Wednesday: “Football is the greatest game on the planet to me. I love that you can find out exactly who you are without ever saying a word. It lifts you up and breaks you down and it can happen fast. It’s humbling in the best ways. You can do everything right and still fail. Thats life and that’s football. It’s a constant test of wills and those who just keep going tend to reap the benefits of their perseverance. This wasn’t my year, and sometimes when it rains, it pours. You can feel sorry for yourself and listen to the birds, or you can hold the line. I’m grateful for the support of everyone in my corner and promise I’ll work smarter and harder than ever to come back better from this. I love my teammates, I love the 9ers, and I love football. God doesn’t miss. Onward ”
