The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for an NFC West showdown against the Seattle Seahawks. George Kittle didn't practice on Tuesday and won't do so on Thursday. The Pro Bowl tight end sustained a knee injury a week ago against the Arizona Cardinals but toughed his way through most of the game, despite some obvious discomfort.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported last week that Kittle's MRI revealed that his "knee was good." Head coach Kyle Shanahan made it clear on Thursday that his tight end isn't at 100 percent, though, and his status remains day-to-day.
"I'm hoping he can play this week, but we'll see," Shanahan told reporters. "It's going to probably not be a decision until the end of the week."
Shanahan was asked about the details of the injury.
"It's something on the knee and ankle, so he's got two things in both areas," he responded. "We know Kittle is a very tough guy, so he was able to come back in that game, but it's something we're not going to know until the end of the week."
The head coach was asked if the MRI came back clean.
"There's issues," Shanahan answered. "So, yes. He's got things in his knee and ankle, so we'll see."
Other Injury Updates
The 49ers signed kicker Chase McLaughlin on Thursday amid news that Robbie Gould, who is dealing with a strained quad, might not be able to play on Monday night. Shanahan believes there is still "a chance" that Gould plays versus the Seahawks.
The 49ers are hoping tackles Joe Staley (fibula) and Mike McGlinchey (knee), and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (knee) will be available for Monday night.
"I'd say I feel a little bit more confidence with — just a little bit more — with Staley and Juice," Shanahan said. "I think they're just a hair ahead of McGlinchey in that area. Today will be their first real practice going out there. We had a practice on Tuesday, but it really wasn't against each other. We were doing a lot of stuff on air. So this will be their first day to really go against people and put bodies on each other, so I'll have a much better feel after today.
"We're hoping to get all three, but I can't guarantee any of them."
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (foot) will not practice on Thursday but could get some work in on Friday.
Shanahan said the potential of a return for wide receiver Trent Taylor (foot) by the Baltimore Ravens game is "not looking likely right now."
"If he was able to come back 100 percent healthy, there's no doubt we'd bring Trent back," Shanahan added, "but he's had some setbacks in his injury. Had an infection with it too, so he had to start that over. So it just cost him some time."
Shanahan said rookie wide receiver Jalen Hurd (back) has a chance to return to practice next week as the 49ers prepare for their second matchup against the Cardinals. The team will look at how his rehab is going and make the decision next week.
"If he's not ready by then, then it will be week-to-week," Shanahan said.
Both Taylor and Hurd are on injured reserve. NFL teams are allowed to bring back a maximum of two players from injured reserve.