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Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff Writer
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Barring unforeseen circumstances between now and Sunday, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will return Sunday night against the Buffalo Bills.
Officially, Purdy is listed as questionable with soreness in his right (throwing) shoulder but made enough progress this week to play against Buffalo unless there’s a setback between now and then, according to coach Kyle Shanahan.
“Lots of things can happen between now and then,” Shanahan said. “But right now he’s playing. He’s doing good. Had a good day.”
Purdy did not play in a 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers last week because of the shoulder issue but made enough progress this week to play against Buffalo, according to Shanahan. Earlier this week, there were small signs of improvement for Purdy. He did some light throwing on Monday and was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. He was a full participant in Friday’s session with backup Brandon Allen wearing a jersey as one of the team’s “scout team players of the week.”
While Purdy’s return is a welcome sight for the 49ers, it doesn’t mean he will have his full supporting cast.
The 49ers ruled out left tackle Trent Williams (left ankle), defensive end Nick Bosa (left hip and oblique), cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee), guard Aaron Banks (concussion) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (concussion). And, though the 49ers opened linebacker Dre Greenlaw‘s practice window this week in his return from a torn left Achilles, he will not be activated to play against the Bills.
Without Williams and Banks, the Niners will have a different look on the left side of the line again this week. Jaylon Moore, who filled in for Williams last week, will again man the left tackle spot with Spencer Burford the best bet to step in for Banks.
This will also be the second straight game Williams has missed with injury. He was in the Niners’ locker room on Wednesday with a scooter that kept his left foot and ankle elevated.
Lenoir was a new addition to the injury report this week after he banged knees with a Packer in last week’s loss. He didn’t participate in any of the three practices thie week before being ruled out.
The Niners will get at least one starter back against the Bills, however. Charvarius Ward, who has not played since the Oct. 27 win against the Dallas Cowboys because he’s been grieving the death of his 1-year-old daughter. Ward was a full participant in each practice this week.
“We expect him to play,” Shanahan said. “He had a good week of practice… Excited to get him back out there.”