A San Francisco 49ers player rarely suits up for a game without practicing during the days leading up to that game. George Kittle is a rare tight end, though. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Kittle wouldn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. The tight end may not practice until Friday, and even that is not a certainty.
That doesn't mean the New York Jets won't have to game plan for him, though.
"Kittle, he's battling," Shanahan told reporters before Wednesday's practice. "We thought it would be alright. He woke up the next day a little sore. He fully expects to be there Sunday, like he always does. Just like he always plays through the game when it happens."
Kittle suffered a knee sprain on a hit from safety Budda Baker during Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
"We'll give him the whole week," Shanahan continued. "I always love getting them out there on Friday. We'll see how that goes. Friday is just a walk-through anyways, but Kittle is one guy that if he's ready to go on Sunday, and the doctors say he's good to go, we have no problem with him going without practicing."
Other players who will not practice on Wednesday are wide receiver Richie James (hamstring) and cornerbacks Jason Verrett (hamstring) and Ahkello Witherspoon (concussion).
Cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) was placed on short-term injured reserve, which means missing at least the next three games. Practice squad cornerback Tim Harris Jr. also landed on injured reserve after suffering a calf strain during practice last week.
Shanahan noted that rookie Brandon Aiyuk and center Ben Garland would be limited during Wednesday's practice.
"I'm optimistic about [them playing]," Shanahan said of the two.