49ers-Panthers Injury Report: Ward doubtful, Kittle and Lynch questionable

The San Francisco 49ers released their first official injury report of 2017 NFL season and there were few surprises on the list. That was mostly due to the fact that head coach Kyle Shanahan had provided the statuses of the three players during his Friday press conference.

The three players on the list are the same ones who have been listed all week during the team's daily practice participation reports. They are safety Jimmie Ward, tight end George Kittle, and edge defender Aaron Lynch.

Ward has been attempting to return from a hamstring injury that forced him to miss all of training camp and preseason. While he is listed as doubtful, Shanahan has not completely dismissed the possibility of him playing on Sunday.

"He's done a little more each day and he's getting healthier each day," Shanahan said Friday afternoon. "That's why I do think he has a chance to go this week but I will say that we're listing him as doubtful. So it's an outside chance but he has improved each day."

Kittle is also dealing with a hamstring injury. Although, Shanahan revealed during an interview with KNBR on Friday morning that the injury was less severe than Ward's. Kittle's injury was one that plagued him during training camp and was aggravated last week. Lynch has been listed with a back injury.

Below are the official injury reports for both the 49ers and the Panthers, who meet up to play each other on Sunday at Levi's Stadium. Also included are Friday's participation reports.

While Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is listed on the injury report, he is expected to play.

San Francisco 49ers

Doubtful
S Jimmie Ward (hamstring)

Questionable
TE George Kittle (hamstring), DE Aaron Lynch (back)

Carolina Panthers

Out
CB Cole Luke (ankle), LB Jared Norris (groin)

Doubtful
DT Vernon Butler (knee)

Questionable
DE Daeshon Hall (knee), DT Kyle Love (ankle), QB Cam Newton (right shoulder), WR Curtis Samuel (ankle)

San Francisco 49ers Friday Practice

Limited Participation in Practice
TE George Kittle (hamstring), DE Aaron Lynch (back), S Jimmie Ward (hamstring)

Carolina Panthers Friday Practice

Did Not Participate In Practice
CB Cole Luke (ankle), LB Jared Norris (groin)

Limited Participation in Practice
DT Vernon Butler (knee)

Full Participation in Practice
DE Daeshon Hall (knee), DT Kyle Love (ankle), QB Cam Newton (right shoulder), WR Curtis Samuel (ankle)