San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters before Wednesday's practice and provided some good news regarding George Kittle. The All-Pro tight end will return to practice after sustaining an MCL sprain during Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals and missing this past weekend's matchup against the New York Jets. He is, however, expected to be limited.
Kittle's status for Sunday's game against the New York Giants will be dependent on how he looks during practices this week.
Shanahan also noted that running back Tevin Coleman's knee sprain is more severe than Raheem Mostert's knee injury. While Mostert may miss this weekend's game, he is not expected to miss an extended period. Shanahan says Coleman could miss four weeks, though, and that the running back is a candidate for short-term injured reserve.
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will not practice on Wednesday as he recovers from a high-ankle sprain suffered against the Jets. He is a longshot to play on Sunday but hasn't been ruled out. Nick Mullens would start if Garoppolo cannot go.
"I would be surprised if Jimmy gets back later in the week," Shanahan said. "I know he's still pulling to do it."
Defensive end Dee Ford (back) is not expected to play on Sunday and will not practice.
"When you're dealing with a back injury, you really don't know the timetable," Shanahan said. "I know he's gotten some medicine this week that we're hoping helps, but that's a wait-and-see approach. So each day, you're looking at him to see how it goes.
"I'm sure it's a longshot this week, but there is no timetable on it because you've got to see how the medicine reacts and if it helps him."
Shanahan provided the following other injury updates:
- Running back Raheem Mostert (knee) won't practice.
- Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (thigh) will be limited.
- Defensive tackle D.J. Jones (ankle) is "good to go."
