49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward join injured stars not practicing

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Tight end George Kittle and cornerback Charvarius Ward were surprise no-shows at Thursday’s practice, sidelined by leg injuries that suddenly put their availability in question for the 49ers’ game Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams.

Another not-so-subtle name joined the 49ers’ ever-growing injury list: defensive end Nick Bosa, with a rib issue that limited him.

While Kittle was kept out with a hamstring issue, Ward has a combination of hamstring and knee injuries. Both players practiced in full Wednesday then reported “soreness” Thursday morning and likely will be listed as questionable for the game, coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR 680-AM.

The 49ers (1-1) already will play without two offensive playmakers in Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. Samuel is expected to miss two weeks with a calf strain from Sunday’s loss at Minnesota, while McCaffrey has yet to play this season and is not eligible to come off Injured Reserve for another three games.

“Obviously it (stinks) not having your guys like Deebo and Christian and stuff. So it’s like, ‘Alright, how can we figure out getting the ball to other guys,’ ” Brock Purdy said. “But we have playmakers, a really good scheme, a great play-caller and great players who step up into roles.”

Left tackle Trent Williams said of the 49ers’ injured stars: “Those guys are the best in the world, but who really feels sorry for us? It’s a next-man-up league.”

The Rams (0-2) will play their home opener without their top wide receivers, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, the latter of whom is among 11 players on the team’s Injured Reserve list.

Both Kittle and Ward underwent core-muscle surgeries in February and missed offseason practices, but both have been mainstays on the field through two games. Kittle has played 82 percent of the offensive snaps, while Ward has lined up for all but one of the defense’s 105 snaps.

Defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen said Ward looked good in Wednesday’s practice, and as for Thursday’s absence, he said: “There’s some soreness, so we’re being smart and decided to hold him out.”

Ward has started every game since arriving as a 2022 free agent. The 49ers conceivably could start Deommodore Lenoir and Isaac Yiadom on the outside spots if Ward is out; rookie Renardo Green entering as the nickel back who could play inside or outside if the 49ers prefer Lenoir covering the Rams’ slot receiver. Or Ward could play, which seems more likely.

Kittle, an eighth-year veteran, has caught Purdy’s only touchdown pass this season amid his 11 receptions. He has seven touchdown catches in 13 career games against the Rams, including one in the 49ers’ 2021 season’s NFC Championship Game which marks the Niners’ only loss at SoFi Stadium.

If Kittle can’t play, Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges could seize bigger roles. The fact Saubert is an eighth-year veteran “gives me comfort,” said Purdy, who connected with him for back-to-back completions on Sunday’s final possession. Brayden Willis or Mason Pline could come up from the practice squad if needed, too.

Purdy’s top targets among the wide receivers already figure to be Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Chris Conley and Jacob Cowing. Top draft pick Ricky Pearsall must miss at least two more games recovering from an Aug. 31 gunshot wound to his chest.

“This is when opportunities present themselves,” Williams said. “Nobody would have known Jordan (Mason) if a couple of guys didn’t go down, and nobody would have known Brock if we didn’t lose three quarterbacks in one year. It’s a blessing in disguise. Guys just have to be ready to step up and relish in the moment.”

While Samuel is the 49ers’ leading receiver with 13 catches for 164 yards, Aiyuk has just six catches for 71 yards and no touchdowns since skipping training camp and ultimately signing a four-year extension worth $30 million annually.

Hufanga ‘eyes’ comeback

In positive health news, safety Talanoa Hufanga is expected to play Sunday for the first time since Nov. 19, when he tore his right knee’s anterior cruciate ligament. “Honestly for me the mental aspect was never the issue,” Hufanga said. “Physically, I couldn’t do much. It was an opportunity to be around my family, to dive into the playbook and the film room.

“I never looked at it as a bad process. Everybody has been through something. This was just my story and process,” Hufanga added. “There are so many positives from it vs. negatives. A lot of people can get caught in the negative and it will affect your healing. I had to stay bright, bring the juice when I was around my guys. I’m just really happy to be back.”

Hufanga poured over film during his rehabilitation and concluded that his 2022 All-Pro and Pro Bowl season was “mediocre,” in that it took him a few times to see the same call before making a play. He also praised his improved eye discipline from watching practices with general manager John Lynch, a Pro Football Hall of Fame safety.

Ji’Ayir Brown is excited about pairing up with Hufanga for the first time outside of a few snaps in the 2023 preseason. Brown particularly heralded Hufanga’s communication skills among the secondary, adding: “With us together, it’s going to be exciting.”

Hufanga, as well as linebacker Dee Winters (ankle), practiced in full.

Extra points

In terms of cap dollars, Ward ($18,401,000), Samuel ($12,226,753), Kittle ($12,204,575) and McCaffrey ($6,682,588) account for $49,514,916 of the maximum $255.4 million per team. Their potential replacements count $5 million toward the cap, those being Green ($1,161,795), Jauan Jennings ($2,274,941), Eric Saubert ($985,500) and Jordan Mason ($988,934) that accounts for $5,411,170 in cap dollars. … The Rams kept out Kupp (ankle), tight end Davis Allen (back) and rookie kicker Joshua Karty (groin) from Stanford aside from their 11 players on Injured Reserve. Limited were defensive tackle Bobby Brown (ankle) and cornerback Cobie Durant (toe).

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(Staff writer Jerry McDonald contributed to this report.)

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