There was a chance that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw might return to practice this week. It's what head coach Kyle Shanahan was hoping for, but it sounded like a best-case scenario. Unfortunately, Greenlaw's return from injured reserve is being delayed.
"No, we're looking at next week," Shanahan told reporters before today's practice when asked if he would be back this week. "He didn't quite get to where we want. Scared of just reinjuring it, rushing back a little too early, so we're going to have to put it off another week."
The good news is that tight end George Kittle, running back Jeff Wilson, and kicker Robbie Gould will return to practice today. Shanahan was asked if he expects Kittle to be ready to play right away.
"I'm not sure," Shanahan responded. "I'm not counting on it 100 percent. I'm waiting to see how he is today. We're going to slow it down a little bit, just [because he's] been banged up the last couple of weeks. We're going to go pretty slow today, but I think the real test will be for him tomorrow."
Shanahan added that wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), running back Elijah Mitchell (ribs), tackle Trent Williams (ankle), and safety Jimmie Ward (quad) would not practice today. However, the coach noted that he expects Samuel to practice later in the week and play on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
"He couldn't go today," Shanahan said of Samuel. "Hopefully, he'll be able to go tomorrow. I'd be surprised if he can't go by Sunday, but he definitely can't go today."
Defensive end Dee Ford and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who were inactive on Sunday after suffering concussions a week earlier, are full-go for practice.
