SANTA CLARA – It was another turn-back-the-clock moment on [the 49ers’ practice field](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/10/26/49ers-shahanahn-provides-update-on-mccaffrey-others-entering-bye/) Wednesday.
Not only was [DeForest Buckner](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/10/27/49ers-reclaim-deforest-buckner-two-weeks-ahead-of-trade-deadline/) debuting after last week’s circle-back trade from the Colts, Nick Bosa joined him in defensive line drills, after Bosa missed the past five games with a calf injury.
It was Buckner and Bosa’s first practice together since the 2019 team’s Super Bowl preparations. Nearby was the reborn linebacker duo of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, the latter of whom also returned this season for a Super Bowl push the first-place Niners (6-1) are poised to make.
“It’s pretty cool. It’d make a good documentary if we did it,” Bosa said of this team’s reunion theme.
Not participating in practice, however, was another 2019 cast member, Deebo Samuel, who remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. Also still out is fellow wide receiver Mike Evans, whose Achilles tendinitis is improving after sitting out the Oct. 25 loss at Atlanta and subsequent bye week, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Next up for the 49ers is Sunday’s home date with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bosa said his Sept. 24 left-calf strain took longer to overcome than expected, and he traced its origin to the 49ers’ season-opening trip to Australia, where he launched his comeback from a September 2025 ACL tear. Bosa excelled in that win over the Los Angeles Rams, then played the home opener against Miami before straining his calf in Week 3.
“I must have had some compensation going on, especially that first week back, trying to push it with the (patellar) tendinitis, so I may have been favoring it,” Bosa said.
Bosa indicated last month he hoped to return for the final two games before the bye. “It’s been tough but obviously the team had my back and held it down,” Bosa said. “It’s a long year and I kept reminding myself that, to be ready for the long haul.”
Bosa called it “amazing” to reunite with Buckner and that he “jokingly” mentioned it to Shanahan months ago. “But the fact it actually happened, it’s a full-circle moment,” Bosa added. “It’s like he never left when he came in here”
Wednesday’s practice featured almost their full complement of defensive linemen, minus Alfred Collins and C.J. West on Injured Reserve. Mykel Williams, Keion White and Romello Height figure to rotate in at defensive end with Bosa, and Shanahan noted that Buckner could appear anywhere along their five-man fronts.
“It gets real around this time of year and we have the right mix of veterans and young guys to where everyone understands we have to keep ascending,” Bosa said.
**McCAFFREY UPDATE**
Running back Christian McCaffrey said he had “no idea” his hamstring rather than his quadriceps is what hindered him last game in Atlanta. He did not practice Wednesday because of it, although that is typically a rest day for him to do individual conditioning. Shanahan said McCaffrey might practice in limited fashion Thursday.
“It wasn’t too bad,” McCaffrey said. “Having the bye week was awesome.”
**WIDE RECEIVER OUTLOOK**
Demarcus Robinson practiced and had his three-week evaluation window open as the 49ers weight when to activate him off Injured Reserve, where he’s been since a Week 2 ankle injury.
Robinson was among those leading Wednesday’s receiver warmups that continue to miss Evans and Samuel, not to mention De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (season-ending knee surgery).
Evans’ Achilles pain forced him out before halftime of the 49ers’ last home game, an Oct. 19 win against Washington, and he did not play in their Oct. 25 loss at Atlanta. With 27 catches for 420 yards and three touchdowns, he’s made an immense impact in his first season after 12 years in Tampa Bay. Samuel has been out since a hamstring injury in the Oct. 11 win at Seattle; he’s totaled 206 receiving yards (16 catches, three touchdowns), 78 rushing yards (nine carries), and 281 kick-return yards (11 returns).