San Francisco 49ers WR Torrey Smith returned to practice on today after missing the previous two days. However, he was limited and practiced in a blue non-contact jersey.
49ers head coach Chip Kelly discussed Smith's injury today. The wide receiver suffered the injury against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. "I think on that pass where he was crossing the middle in the fourth quarter," Kelly said. "Kind of hit his hands and then fell and went to the ground. So, it occurred on that play it looked like because it looked like he was a little bit lame after that one. We put him in motion and then kind of took him out the next play. And we'll see. He's still day-to-day right now and we'll get a sense, a feel for him on Saturday after the whole week of training is over."
Smith wasn't the only one in a non-contact jersey. DT Quinton Dial, who has been bothered by his knee and neck, also took part in practice today but was limited.
OLB Aaron Lynch remains limited in practice. "He's in and out right now," Kelly said today. "It's more individual drills. I couldn't tell you the exact amount of reps he's had in team drills. But, he's been limited so far. He's been a limited participant in practice."
The media had mentioned that Lynch has looked uncomfortable in practice this week. He has been limping bad on his ankle. Kelly was asked if it was Lynch's decision to test it out in practice. "No, it's him and the doctors going through and knowing where he is and how long the injury was, what the MRI said," Kelly answered. "There's a plan going through with that. I think sometimes with those injuries it takes a little while to get warmed up and get going."
For the Patriots, TE Rob Gronkowski did not practice and reportedly will not make the trip to Santa Clara for Sunday's game. He suffered a chest injury during Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks on a hit from FS Earl Thomas.
Below are the Thursday practice participation reports for both the Patriots and the 49ers. The two teams face each other on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.
San Francisco 49ers Thursday Practice
Limited Participation
DT Quinton Dial (knee/neck), DT Glenn Dorsey (knee), LB Eli Harold (toe), LB Aaron Lynch (ankle), CB Rashard Robinson (knee), WR Torrey Smith (back)
Full Participation
G Zane Beadles (ankle/knee), CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring), RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder), C Daniel Kilgore (hamstring/calf), S Eric Reid (knee)
New England Patriots Thursday Practice
Did Not Practice
TE Rob Gronkowski (chest), T Nate Solder (not injury related)
Limited Participation
TE Martellus Bennett (ankle), DT Alan Branch (back), WR Julian Edelman (foot), WR Chris Hogan (back)