San Francisco 49ers CB Josh Norman sent to hospital with bruised lungs, source says

SANTA CLARA, Calif. --  San Francisco 49ers cornerback Josh Norman spent the night in a local hospital after departing Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with bruised lungs, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder.

Norman was still in the hospital this morning receiving diagnosis and treatment, according to the source. Norman was seen entering the blue medical tent on the Niners' sideline in the second quarter, moments after he'd caused Packers running back Aaron Jones to fumble the ball out of bounds and the Niners got a fourth-down stop at their 3-yard line.

Soon after that, Norman walked to the locker room and did not return to the game. He played 30 snaps against Green Bay and was credited with a tackle and a forced fumble.

After the game, Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said he was unsure of the severity of Norman's injury. Norman was making his first start with the 49ers since signing on Sept. 6, claiming the job opposite Emmanuel Moseley.

Norman wasn't the only 49ers cornerback injured Sunday night. Nickel cornerback K'Waun Williams left in the first quarter with a calf injury and did not return to the game.

"I'm not sure anything more than that," Shanahan said. "But I'm always worried once he had the calf and couldn't come back in."

Losing Norman and Williams early forced the Niners to spend Sunday juggling their few healthy cornerbacks against Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Dontae Johnson replaced Norman, with rookie Deommodore Lenoir filling in for Williams before Johnson suffered a shoulder stinger that pushed Lenoir back to the outside. Johnson was able to return but the Niners had no other corners active besides Moseley, Lenoir and Johnson.

Rodgers finished 23-of-33 for 261 yards and two touchdowns and the Niners were called for three defensive pass interference penalties for 81 yards, two of those going against corners Moseley and Lenoir. With 37 seconds left, Rodgers completed two passes to receiver Davante Adams for 42 yards to set up the winning field goal. If Norman's injury causes him to miss extended time, the Niners might again find themselves looking for help at an already thin position. Starter Jason Verrett was lost for the season in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions after suffering a torn right ACL.

As it stands, the only healthy corners on the roster are Moseley (who just returned from his own knee injury), Lenoir, veteran Dre Kirkpatrick (who signed on Sept. 14) and rookie Ambry Thomas. Kirkpatrick and Thomas were pregame inactives against the Packers.