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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — **Safety Omar Bolden sat out practice on Monday, still recovering from a hit that blindsided him and earned 49ers WR Anquan Boldin unecessary roughness penalty.
"He's got sore ribs but he's fine and expectations are he'll go Thursday," Kubiak said of Bolden's outlook.
Though it is a relief that Bolden didn't suffer a serious injury because of the play, the situation was completely avoidable and undeserving of such aggressive action.
The Broncos got back on the practice field Monday as they prepare for a final preseason game. (All photos by Ben Swanson, unless otherwise noted)
The hit came late in the second quarter with the 49ers driving deep into Broncos territory. Torrey Smith took a check-down pass from the 12-yard line and turned to run toward the left pylon. As Smith was tackled at the 8-yard line by Bradley Roby, Bolden positioned himself near the goal line in case Smith eluded defenders and got to the next level. While he watched Smith go to the ground, Bolden slowed up and then Boldin launched into his side with his shoulder.
Bolden was knocked off his feet and fell to the turf, holding his ribs. Boldin received an unnecessary roughness penalty, setting the 49ers back on fourth down, though they would hit the field goal regardless.
The play drew attention from fans, who loudly booed the hit after watching the replay on the in-stadium video boards, and from Kubiak, who called NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino Monday for an explanation.
"I was a little confused, to be honest with you," Kubiak told the media on Monday regarding the hit. "I talked to Dean this morning about it. We have a rule in place when you're coming back to your goal line, it was described to me, that as long as it was between the waist and the neck, it's OK, and they thought that the biggest thing there."
Though understanding of the officials' position, Kubiak noted that the type of blocking in that part of the field, in those types of situations, must be coached meticulously.
"It's a play we're very conscious of in football," he said. "Any time you've got your players going back toward their goal line, we have to coach our players a certain way to block and attack."
