A worrying sign emerged Thursday as San Francisco 49ers appeared without key players at practice, with Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, and Brock Purdy absent from the session, according to The Athletic.

According to the Bay Area division of NBC Sports, Purdy has been experiencing “discomfort” in his right shoulder while throwing passes since before the session began. Niners head athletic trainer Dustin Little, who has expertise as a physical therapist from his time at Denver Broncos, was seen assessing and rubbing Purdy’s shoulder.

Per KNBR, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Purdy “was still limited today.”

“He didn’t do as much yesterday but did a little bit more today,” Shanahan added. “He went out there and did a little bit then went back in about halfway through and rested up.”

At the bottom of NFC West, the 49ers have experienced mixed results of late, beating the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in back-to-back games before losing to the Seattle Seahawks on November 17. They return to the gridiron on Sunday, November 24 as the franchise heads to Lambeau Field in Wisconsin for a game against Green Bay Packers.

Having Purdy available would be a boost for the team if it is to bounce back from it’s last defeat, particularly as Shanahan was full of praise for Purdy in defeat. “I think Brock’s playing at the exact same level,” he said, comparing Purdy’s form this year, to last, when he totaled 4,280 yards in the regular season for 31 touchdowns. Shanahan indicated he expects, with “a couple of players here and there” to become a winning side rather than one which is 5-5.

TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers yells from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) ( 

Image:

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

As for Purdy’s availability, “Hopefully it will be feeling great on Sunday,” Shanahan said of whether he could make the trip to Green Bay.

If Purdy’s shoulder is still problematic, though, Bay Area NBC said backup QB Brandon Allen would get the nod. Allen hasn’t started in the NFL since the 2021 season.

With Bosa and Williams also not at practice, there is speculation as to whether they’ll also be absent for Sunday’s big game. Bosa is out of action currently with an oblique injury but told reporters Wednesday that the issue “gets better every day.” He said, though, that it’s “a little early to call it either way” regarding a starting spot.

Williams, meanwhile, is out of the line-up because of an ankle problem he suffered aheasd of the Seahawks game.

Victory this weekend is imperative if the Niners are to keep their playoff hopes alive.