SANTA CLARA (Calif.) -- San Francisco 49ers cornerback Josh Norman was admitted to a local hospital following Sunday's loss to the Green Bay Packers. A source said that Norman had bruised his lungs and spent the night there.
According to the source, Norman was still receiving treatment and diagnosis at the hospital today. Norman was seen in the Niners' blue medical tent during the second quarter. This happened after he caused Packers running back Aaron Jones fumble the ball. The Niners received a fourth-down stop at the 3-yard line.
Norman left the game soon after and walked to the locker area. He took 30 snaps against Green Bay, and was awarded a tackle as well as a forced fumble.
Kyle Shanahan, the Niners' coach, said that he wasn't sure of the extent of Norman’s injury after the game. Norman made his 49ers debut on Sept. 6th, after signing opposite Emmanuel Moseley.
Norman was not the only 49ers cornerback who was injured on Sunday night. Nickel cornerback K'Waun Williams, a nickel cornerback, was injured in the first quarter and didn't return to the game.
Shanahan stated, "I don't know anything more than that." "But I'm always concerned once he had his calf, and couldn't get back in."
The Niners lost Norman and Williams earlier, forcing them to spend Sunday trying to balance their few healthy cornerbacks against Aaron Rodgers. Norman was replaced by Dontae Johnson, and rookie Deommodore Lenoir took over for Williams. Johnson's shoulder injury forced Lenoir to return to the outside. Johnson was able, but the Niners didn't have any other corners available besides Johnson, Moseley and Lenoir.
Rodgers was 23-of-3 for 261 yards with two touchdowns. The Niners were penalized for three defensive pass interference violations for 81 yards. Two of the penalties were against corners Moseley & Lenoir. Rodgers completed the winning field goal with 37 seconds remaining by completing two passes to Davante Adams, a receiver. The Niners may need to look for help in the position that is already very thin if Norman's injury makes him miss longer. After sustaining a torn ACL in his right leg, Jason Verrett, the Niners' starter, was forced to miss the entire season against the Detroit Lions.
As it stands now, the only healthy corners are Moseley, Lenoir and veteran Dre Kirkpatrick, who signed on Sept. 14., as well rookie Ambry Thomas. Thomas and Kirkpatrick were both pregame inactives for the Packers.
