Former Washington Football Team cornerback Josh Norman, shown Oct. 21, 2018, was making his first start Sunday with the San Francisco 49ers since signing with the franchise Sept. 6. File Photo by Tasos Katopodis/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 27 (UPI) — San Francisco 49ers cornerback Josh Norman has returned to the team after being hospitalized due to a bruised lung that he suffered during Sunday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
The injury occurred early in the second quarter when Norman took a helmet to his chest. The veteran defensive back spit up blood and further exams revealed he had fluid in his lungs, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said.
After leaving the hospital, Norman took part in team meetings Monday afternoon. Shanahan said Norman is considered day-to-day, and there is a chance he could suit up this week against the Seattle Seahawks.
“There’s a possibility [he could play this week],” Shanahan told reporters. “The way that goes, he has got to clear some imaging, he’s got to pass the CT scans to get back to practice.
“From what I’m told, that could take anywhere from one day to throughout the week, so we’re just going to have to keep monitoring that each day as the week goes.”
Early in the second quarter, Norman attempted to tackle Packers running back Aaron Jones, causing a fumble that bounced out of bounds at the 49ers’ 3-yard line. The 49ers got a fourth-down stop on the next play.
“I think [Jones] put his helmet right in his chest and just got him in a sensitive area,” Shanahan said of the sequence.
Norman didn’t return to the Sunday Night Football matchup against the Packers. He played 30 snaps against Green Bay and was credited with one tackle and a forced fumble.
The 33-year-old Norman was making his first start with the Niners since signing with the franchise Sept. 6. He claimed the starting job opposite Emmanuel Moseley.