Juszczyk cleared for Monday return as 49ers rule Bosa and Deebo out cover
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Juszczyk cleared for Monday return as 49ers rule Bosa and Deebo out

The fullback is ready after his knee injury; Evans, Kirk and four defenders remain questionable against Washington.

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  • Kyle Juszczyk has been cleared to return Monday night against Washington. The 49ers fullback practiced fully Saturday and received no game designation after the knee injury that kept him out of last week's game in Seattle.

    Coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the final injury report Saturday. Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel, Marques Sigle and Garret Wallow were ruled out. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk remain questionable, along with Gracen Halton, Mykel Williams, Upton Stout and Siran Neal.

    Shanahan said activating Kirk from injured reserve Monday was possible; he did not announce that the move would happen. Kaelon Black missed Saturday's practice for the birth of his child, and Shanahan said he expects the running back to play.

    Earlier reporting

    Kyle Juszczyk could miss a couple of weeks after initial tests indicated that he hyperextended his knee, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday. The 49ers fullback was still scheduled for an MRI to confirm the early assessment, leaving both the diagnosis and the length of his absence subject to further evaluation.

    Juszczyk was injured early in the fourth quarter of San Francisco's 24-14 win over Denver. Brock Purdy found him for a 16-yard gain before Broncos defensive back Jahdae Barron hit him near the knee and midsection. Medical personnel helped him to the sideline, and the 49ers ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

  • Coach Kyle Shanahan said afterward that the early examination pointed toward a knee sprain and that Juszczyk's ACL appeared intact. ESPN's Nick Wagoner reported that account along with the planned Monday testing. Shanahan's initial assessment and Schefter's Monday report are encouraging relative to a longer absence, but neither supplies a confirmed return date.

  • Juszczyk finished Sunday with two catches for 28 yards. His role also creates a personnel problem beyond those receiving totals: Niners Wire reported that tight end Brayden Willis stepped in as his replacement. The 49ers have yet to announce how they would divide that work if Juszczyk misses games.

  • San Francisco's official recap described an offense that scored three touchdowns after halftime to move to 4-0. The team rushed for 140 yards, with Christian McCaffrey contributing 52 yards and a touchdown. Deebo Samuel Sr. added 44 yards on three carries, and George Kittle's 56-yard touchdown catch helped finish the game.

    That varied attack now prepares for a trip to Seattle in Week 5 while awaiting more information on one of its regular contributors. For fantasy and roster managers, Willis's relief appearance establishes an available replacement option, without establishing a larger receiving workload. An MRI update, the team's practice reports and any announced personnel plan will determine the next steps for Juszczyk and the offense.