San Francisco 49ers running back Matt Breida returned to practice on Saturday, which was the team's final practice session before boarding a plane for Green Bay. He was limited, but it was seen as progress considering the running back did not participate in the practices held on Thursday or Friday.
All eyes have been on Breida's progress this week. He suffered a mid-ankle sprain during last weekend's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Breida was listed as questionable on the 49ers' official injury report, which the 49ers released on Saturday afternoon. That too is better than expected. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier during the week that he expected Breida to be listed as doubtful.
How did Breida look during his first practice of the week?
"He looked limited," Shanahan told a reporter after Saturday's practice.
Breida's status for Monday night against the Green Bay Packers will likely come down to the wire. Should the 49ers activate a running back from the practice squad or make a similar roster move before Monday at 1 p.m., it would be a good indication of whether or not Breida is healthy enough to play.
"When you play on Sunday, we've got to make that by 1 o'clock on Saturday because you're not allowed to do anything on Sunday," Shanahan explained. "But, you can on Monday. So, we have until 1 o'clock on Monday to make that decision."
Shanahan was happy to have Breida available for Saturday's practice, but his participation wasn't exactly a surprise to the head coach.
"Just knowing Breida and how he is, he always gives himself a chance," he continued. "Got enough to at least go out a little bit today. That's something that'll come down to right before game time."
Not counting fullback Kyle Juszczyk, the other running backs on the active roster are Alfred Morris and Raheem Mostert.
"I know [Mostert] struggled last week with his opportunity," Shanahan said. "I had a good talk with Raheem this week. We challenged him real hard. He was up for the challenge. Everyone knows Raheem has earned his spot here as a special teams player. He's done a hell of a job at that, but there's going to come a time just like last week, and there will come a time again, where we need him to help us at running back. He has that ability. I do believe he has that mindset and the way he worked this week gives me a lot of confidence going into this game."
The 49ers also have Jeff Wilson and Matt Dayes on the practice squad.