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SANTA CLARA — Nick Bosa or Kyler Murray. Kyler Murray or Nick Bosa.
The Arizona Cardinals debated it with the No. 1 overall draft pick, then they took Murray as their new quarterback — and that took him away from a potential baseball career with the Oakland A’s.
The 49ers? They gladly grabbed the draft’s first runner-up (and their preferred choice): Bosa, who had three sacks and a spectacular interception in Sunday’s 51-13 rout of the Carolina Panthers.
Thursday night in Arizona, it’s Bosa vs. Murray — and the undefeated 49ers (7-0) vs. the still-last-place Cardinals (3-4-1).
“(Bosa is) one of those guys you want on your team and in your locker room,” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Monday. “He plays his tail off. He’s as relentless as they come.
“And a real guy’s guy. You can tell his teammates like him. We had him graded very highly and San Francisco made a great pick.”
Kingsbury noted that he “loved” Bosa and dined twice with him during the pre-draft.
Asked about his upcoming rookie matchup with Murray, Bosa deferred to answer in a more team-oriented manner.
“It’s a division game, so we’re going to play as hard as we can,” Bosa said Sunday. “We’re going to recover as fast as possible. I’ve never done a game this quick so it’s a new challenge for me.”
The Cardinals (3-4-1) aren’t showing buyer’s remorse from drafting Murray, who’s on pace to throw for nearly 4,000 yards and also to get sacked 52 times. “With Kyler, every week is a learning experience,” Kingsbury said. “He’s got that God-given ability to get out and make plays, and you just walk that fine line on when to do that.”
Sunday’s 31-9 loss at New Orleans snapped Arizona’s three-game win streak. Murray intends to “put on a show” in his prime-time debut Thursday night, all due respect to the 49ers. “They’re obviously a great defense,” Murray told Arizona reporters on Monday, “but we feel if we execute, we’ll be fine.”
Kyle Allen was not fine Sunday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers produced seven sacks and three interceptions against the Carolina Panthers’ previously unbeaten quarterback.
Bosa is the sixth NFL player since 1982 to record at least seven sacks in the first seven games of his career.
“He’s a tremendous football player, high effort, high motor, great personality,” Kingsbury said. “You can see those guys are excited about him when he makes plays. He’s having a heck of a year.”
So are the 49ers, just as Bosa anticipated.
At his introductory press conference after the draft, Bosa said of the 49ers: “It’s the best roster for any team picking that high. Obviously they had the injury last year that allowed them to pick that high. It’s pretty awesome I’m joining a team that’s already assembled a pretty darn good squad.”
INJURY UPDATES
The 49ers did not practice Monday but did have to file an injury report on potential participation, and a new injury that’s surfaced could impact Thursday’s starting lineup. Left tackle Justin Skule has knee and foot issues and would have been limited if the team practiced Monday.
Skule has started the past five games in place of Joe Staley, who returned to practice last week in limited fashion and very well might reclaim his starting role at Arizona.
Others who would have been limited Monday: running backs Matt Breida (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (knee), defensive end Dee Ford (quadricep) and tight end Levine Toilolo. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk (knee), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) and cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (foot) are expected to remain out through at least this week.
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