Nick Bosa isn't walking through that door on Sunday, and neither is James Thompson Jr.

So as the San Francisco 49ers get ready for the Denver Broncos, Kyle Shanahan and the front office have done what good teams do in a pinch: they've gotten creative, cycled through the depth chart, and called in a veteran who's seen plenty.

Matthew Judon has 72 career sacks and four Pro Bowls on his résumé. Now he's practice-squad elevated, five days removed from signing with San Francisco, and about to wear a different uniform in Year 11.

That's not exactly how anyone draws it up, but the 49ers aren't in a position to be picky.

Nobody should expect the Judon of 2021. What San Francisco needs is a guy who knows how to set an edge, win a few third downs, and not get lost in the scheme.

A week of practice reps suggests he's absorbed enough to contribute in obvious passing situations, and that alone gives defensive coordinators something to work with.

The more interesting edge storyline might belong to Romello Height. The rookie missed one game after having his broken hand surgically repaired, and he's cleared to go despite a limited Friday session. With Bosa out, Height's opportunity is real.

Between him, Judon, Khalid Kareem, and Ogbo Okoronkwo, the 49ers have a group that looks like a committee, and they'll need all of it if Keion White's hamstring keeps him sidelined. He's listed as questionable.

The interior shuffle was a tale of two debuts. Sebastian Valdez and Viliami Fehoko Jr. both played their first regular-season snaps in last week's 36-30 win over Arizona. Valdez stayed on the field for 32 of them and finished with three tackles. Fehoko got 13.

A week later, Valdez has a spot on the 53-man roster, and Fehoko is on waivers. In a nine-man rotation, the coaching staff told you who earned the next look based on who they played, and the roster move simply made it official.

For Valdez, it's a fast rise and a reminder that practice-squad guys can earn their way up in a hurry when a front is this banged up.

The one offensive move is about caution more than need. Mike Evans is questionable with a rib injury, so Malik Turner was elevated as insurance.

If Evans can't go or is limited, Turner gives the 49ers another body in the rotation. Even if Evans plays, Turner earns his keep on special teams, where he's expected to cover kicks and punts all afternoon.

The 49ers' entire defensive approach against Denver hinges on one question: Can a patchwork rush get home without its anchor?

If Judon has something left, Height plays like he never left, and Valdez builds on his debut, San Francisco has enough to stay afloat. If not, Denver's quarterback is going to enjoy a lot of clean pockets, and the secondary will feel it.