San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley returned to practice in a limited manner on Wednesday but didn't want to talk to reporters about his fractured orbital bone, which looked much better than it did a week ago. As a precaution, Staley's practice helmet was fitted with a tinted visor for added protection.
Staley is not expected to play against the New York Giants and likely will not see the football field until after the 49ers' bye week. That means his earliest possible return date will probably fall on November 26, when the 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks.
On Monday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that wide receiver Trent Taylor (ribs), tight end George Kittle (ankle), and linebacker Elijah Lee (knee) are not expected to play against the Giants. All three were held out of Wednesday's practice.
"[Taylor] was complaining about some soreness in his ribs," Shanahan said on Monday. "He had an awkward cut. You can see it on tape. You can just see him reach for his ribs and he fell and ended up breaking one."
The 49ers are hoping to get Taylor back after the bye week.
Other injured players that participated in Wednesday's practice were defensive tackle D.J. Jones (knee), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (neck), guard Brandon Fusco (biceps), cornerback K'Waun Williams (quadricep), and defensive ends Aaron Lynch (calf) and Solomon Thomas (knee).
Shanahan expects each player within that group to be a game-time decision on Sunday. Juszczyk and linebacker Mark Nzeocha practiced in blue no-contact jerseys.
Defensive end Tank Carradine (ankle), who is expected to be activated off of injured reserve, started practicing with his teammates on Wednesday. He is not eligible to play in a game until November 26. If Carradine is not activated to the 53-man roster before then, he will revert back to injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Below are the official Wednesday practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Giants, as provided by the 49ers Communications department.
San Francisco 49ers Wednesday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
DE Elvis Dumervil (not injury related), TE George Kittle (ankle), LB Elijah Lee (knee), WR Trent Taylor (ribs)
G Brandon Fusco (biceps), DT D.J. Jones (knee), FB Kyle Juszczyk (neck), DE Aaron Lynch (calf), LB Mark Nzeocha (neck), T Joe Staley (eye), DE Solomon Thomas (knee), CB K'Waun Williams (quadricep)
Full Participation in Practice
LB Brock Coyle (shoulder), LB Reuben Foster (ribs), CB Dontae Johnson (shoulder), S Eric Reid (knee)
New York Giants Wednesday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
LB B.J. Goodson (ankle), LB Devon Kennard (quadricep), LB Keenan Robinson (quadricep)
Limited Participation in Practice
LB Jonathan Casillas (neck), CB Donte Deayon (ankle), LB Calvin Munson (quadricep), G Justin Pugh (back), DT Dalvin Tomlinson (ankle), DE Olivier Vernon (ankle), DE Kerry Wynn (knee)
