Ankles were twisted and rolled all over the country Wednesday as both Nick Bosa and Jason Verrett of the San Francisco 49ers and Joe Haden of the Pittsburgh Steelers injured their appendages at practice.
Bosa and Verrett are scheduled for MRIs. Haden suffered what people are calling a “minor injury” that got him carted off the field.
DL Nick Bosa and CB Jason Verrett are both undergoing MRIs for ankle injuries, per the #49ers.
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) August 7, 2019
According to 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Salah, Bosa and Verrett should both be fine. The concern with both men are their recent histories. Bosa skipped most of last season at Ohio State as he nursed a hamstring. Verrett hasn’t played a full season in his five-year NFL career and appeared in just five total games since 2016.
Haden hasn’t been nearly as snake-bitten. He played in 15 games with the Steelers last season with 63 tackles, one forced fumble, 12 passes defended and two interceptions.
With Haden a little hobbled, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for Pittsburgh’s younger corners to step up. Brian Allen is Haden’s backup on the depth chart, a 2017 fifth-round pick out of Utah. Artie Burns, the 2016 first rounder, could really use the reps as well.
Steelers’ CB Joe Haden, who was carted off the practice field today, suffered what is being described as “a minor ankle” injury, per source. Looks like major injury averted.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2019
The Niners are loaded at defensive end with three former first round picks. Solomon Thomas, the 2017 first rounder is the primary backup and will like find his way into the front four regardless of what the official depth chart looks like. Dee Ford, a free-agent acquisition from Kansas City, is slated to start on the right side. Ronald Blair, a fifth rounder in 2016 from Appalachian State and Kentavius Street, a fourth-rounder in 2018 from North Carolina State are the next most experienced guys on the depth chart.
Chiefs Damien Williams returns to practice
It wasn’t all annoying injury news for teams Wednesday. The Kansas City Chiefs get back running back Damien Williams, who missed a week with a hamstring.
Damien Williams getting some time with the #1 offense. First play was an inside zone. Then a flare route with a toe-tap catch along the sideline before Hyde came back in. Looked good. #Chiefs
— Brandon Kiley (@BKSportsTalk) August 7, 2019
Williams was the team’s starter after they cut Kareem Hunt last season, rushing for 256 yards and four touchdowns while catching 23 passes for 160 yards and two scores.
