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The San Francisco 49ers got a small piece of good news on Thursday. Cornerback Upton Stout is back at practice as the team prepares for a visit to the Seattle Seahawks.
Stout Back on the Field for the 49ers
Stout hurt his shoulder in last Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos. He sat on Wednesday. As of Thursday, he was a limited participant, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. That’s a step in the right direction for a cornerback group that’s already been shuffling its pieces.
Running back Kaelon Black is also trending the right way. He was limited on Wednesday with an illness and was a full participant on Thursday.
Who Sits for the 49ers
Five players never practiced again. Nick Bosa (calf), James Thompson Jr. (ankle), Kyle Juszczyk (knee) and Marques Sigle (ankle) are all out. Mike Evans also sat out after taking part on Wednesday.
Wagoner reported that Evans’ absence may be injury management, not a new concern. He also noted that Evans did some work on the side.
Mustapha and Williams Update
Sigle is expected to miss several weeks with a high ankle sprain. Malik Mustapha will take his place at safety. Mustapha has nine tackles and one pass defended this season.
Defensive lineman Mykel Williams is limited again. He hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in Week 9 last season. He will be eligible to return on Sunday.
What’s Next for the 49ers
San Francisco is 4-0 and looking for revenge after a 41-6 playoff loss to Seattle in January. The Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions, so this is the 49ers’ biggest test of the season so far. A win would strengthen their claim as a true contender, and it would also put them atop the NFC West early.
The schedule didn’t slow down after that. The 49ers host the Washington Commanders on Monday, October 19. Washington beat Seattle in Week 3, so it won’t be an easy night. After that, San Francisco visits the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7 before a Week 8 bye.
How healthy the 49ers were then was important. Stout’s return to practice, Black’s full participation and Williams’ possible debut all help. Bosa, Thompson, Juszczyk and Sigle remain out, so depth will be tested again.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins