Nick Bosa plays his first game since September, with Buckner beside him
Three receivers are out, so Demarcus Robinson plays his first game since Sept. 20. Las Vegas has allowed at least 30 points in five straight games.
Nick Bosa plays Sunday for the first time since Sept. 20. Kyle Shanahan cleared him Friday after five missed games, and the club's report had him practicing in full that day with no designation. He lines up against Las Vegas beside DeForest Buckner, who has not played a game for San Francisco since the 2019 season.
The logistics. Kickoff is 1:25 p.m. Pacific at Levi's Stadium, on FOX. San Francisco is 6-1 and first in the NFC West, coming off a 29-20 loss at Atlanta and the bye. Las Vegas is 4-4. The Raiders started 3-0, lost four straight, and won 38-33 at the Jets last week. They have allowed at least 30 points in each of their last five games: 30, 45, 33, 35 and 33. Inactive lists post at 11:55 a.m.
Out. Christian Kirk (knee) is on injured reserve as of Saturday. Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) are out. Nate Hobbs was not activated and cannot play. For Las Vegas, defensive tackle Thomas Booker (ankle) is out and cornerback Darien Porter (groin) is questionable.
Ten to watch. Rookies first, then the second-year players, then the men the week was about.
1. Jaden Dugger, linebacker, rookie. He has 30 tackles and a sack in six games. With Dre Greenlaw back at Atlanta, Dugger played 31 of 68 defensive snaps and 20 more on special teams, down from nearly every snap the week before.
2. Gracen Halton, defensive lineman, rookie. Two sacks, five tackles for loss and a defensive touchdown in five games. He played 34 snaps at Atlanta. In an interview with Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, Shanahan named him among the young linemen Buckner can bring along.
3. Mykel Williams, edge, second year. He practiced in full all week and played 33 snaps at Atlanta, against 37 for Keion White. Bosa's snaps on the edge come from somebody, and those two are where to look.
4. Upton Stout, cornerback, second year. Questionable with a shoulder injury after three limited practices. He dressed at Atlanta and did not play a snap. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said Thursday that Stout had come back "feeling 20 times better." With Hobbs still on reserve, Stout and Siran Neal are the two 49ers listed questionable.
5. Jordan Watkins, receiver, second year. Six catches for 138 yards in three games. He played 50 of 66 offensive snaps at Atlanta, where a 23-yard touchdown catch was reversed on review. He is one of four receivers left from the 53.
6. Nick Bosa, edge. He played the first two games, with seven tackles, two for loss and no sacks. "Cleared to go. Had a real good week. I'm excited to have him back," Shanahan said Friday. He did not say how many snaps Bosa would play. White leads the team with 3.5 sacks.
7. DeForest Buckner, defensive tackle. Indianapolis traded him back on Oct. 27 for a 2027 fourth-round pick. He had four sacks in seven games for the Colts this season. "He's into it every single day," Shanahan told Maiocco. "He's working on his craft every single day."
8. Demarcus Robinson, receiver. Activated off injured reserve Saturday, in Kirk's spot on the 53. He hurt his ankle against Miami and missed five games; before that he had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. The other receivers are Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing and Watkins, plus KhaDarel Hodge, elevated from the practice squad. Cooks and Cowing have seven catches between them this season.
9. George Kittle, tight end. He leads the team with 34 catches for 425 yards and five touchdowns, on 46 targets. Christian McCaffrey, also cleared Friday, has 34 catches and 389 rushing yards with eight rushing touchdowns.
10. Brock Purdy, quarterback. He has 15 touchdown passes and four interceptions this season and 99 touchdown passes in 56 career games. One more Sunday, in game 57, would make him the fastest by games to 100 in franchise history, ahead of Frankie Albert's 65, per Maiocco.
Las Vegas. Kirk Cousins has thrown for 2,124 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Brock Bowers leads the Raiders with 41 catches for 547 yards and five touchdowns. Ashton Jeanty has 337 yards on 108 carries. Maxx Crosby leads them with three sacks.
Sources: Shanahan transcript, club communications via 49ers Webzone (11-06); Shanahan to Matt Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area, via 49ers Webzone (11-07); Morris transcript via 49ers Webzone (11-05); 49ers.com schedule, roster page, injury report and release (11-07); official game book, SF at ATL; ESPN schedules, box scores and team leaders; Maiocco, NBC Sports Bay Area (11-06, 11-07).
