49ers sidelined: Who’s against the Bills?

Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy and cornerback Charvarius district are expected to return to action Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills. Purdy, who missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury, improved significantly in practice Thursday and Friday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the quarterback will play in Week 13.

While Ward, who has been out since Week 8 following the heartbreaking death of his daughter, will also rejoin the lineup, the 49ers will be without another starting cornerback for the prime-time game.

Who came out?

The 49ers will finalize their inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff, but several players have already been ruled out. Cornerback Déommodore Lenoir will miss the game due to a deep knee contusion suffered this week.

“It’s kind of like a quad bruise, but it’s just on the bone,” Shanahan said Friday. “…I’ve been trying to go all week, and I just haven’t been able to do it.”

The defensive line will also take a hit, as two key players are sidelined. Nick Bosawho missed last week’s win against the Green Bay Packers, is dealing with hip and oblique injuries. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott remains in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury at Lambeau Field.

On offense, Purdy will play without an All-Pro left tackle Trent Williamswho did not practice last week due to an ankle injury that kept him from facing the Packers. He’s not the only offensive lineman to be sidelined. Like Elliott, left guard Aaron Banks was in the concussion protocol last week and was not cleared to face the Bills.

The rise of Greenlaw continues

Linebacker Dr. Greenlaw has been ruled out for Sunday night as the 49ers continue to ramp up his activity following his return to practice. The team opened its 21-day practice window last week, but Greenlaw was not activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list in time to play.

Shanahan remained cautious when asked about Greenlaw’s potential availability for the next game, at home against the Chicago Bears.

“I think they’re open to it, but also, the game after that, it’s a Thursday night game, so I think that makes it a little more difficult,” Shanahan said. “So we have to see how he feels and all that. But with these games being so close, that’s also a problem.

“So I’m not going to decide at all right now. We’ll see how next week goes, but I would say it would be an outside chance.”