49ers vs. Falcons injury report: Kittle practices; Purdy, Jones limited; Pearsall still sidelined

The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 7 contest against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The 49ers received a significant boost on Wednesday as star tight end George Kittle returned to practice as a limited participant. While still on injured reserve, Kittle is expected to be activated ahead of Sunday night's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

Running back Christian McCaffrey is excited to have Kittle return to the field.

"His presence is felt in every aspect of the game, and his energy is so great, so it will be great to have him back out there," McCaffrey said.

The two quarterbacks at the top of the 49ers depth chart remain banged up. Brock Purdy has missed four games with a toe injury, while Mac Jones continues to battle knee and oblique issues. Both remain limited as the 49ers monitor their status throughout the week.

Wide receiver Jordan Watkins returned to practice and is being worked into special teams as a potential punt returner. Usually, those duties belong to Skyy Moore, who was sidelined on Wednesday with an ankle injury.

"Now that he's back, he'll get a shot at it," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Watkins. "So, we'll see how this week goes. We still know that Skyy's got a chance to play, but that stuff, we'll evaluate all week."

Meanwhile, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall remains out with a knee injury, sidelined for the past two games. Shanahan acknowledged that the recovery has taken longer than hoped.

"We hoped it would go faster, but it's a thing that's normal, and it's not going faster than expected," Shanahan said. "But he's better this week than last week, and hopefully it continues."

It's worth noting that guard Dominick Puni, who Shanahan said would be limited in practice, didn't end up participating.

Below are Wednesday's practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Falcons, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff.

San Francisco 49ers Wednesday Practice

Did Not Participate In Practice
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee, hamstring), RB Christian McCaffrey (not injury related - resting player), WR Skyy Moore (ankle), WR Ricky Pearsall (knee), G Dominick Puni (knee), LB Fred Warner (ankle), T Trent Williams (not injury related - resting player)

Limited Participation in Practice
DT Kalia Davis (hand), DT Kevin Givens (pectoral), CB Renardo Green (neck), WR Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib, shoulder), QB Mac Jones (knee, oblique), TE George Kittle (hamstring), QB Brock Purdy (toe), WR Jordan Watkins (calf), DT C.J. West (thumb)

Full Participation in Practice
CB Upton Stout (shoulder), DE Mykel Williams (thumb)

Atlanta Falcons Wednesday Practice

Did Not Participate In Practice
S Billy Bowman (hamstring), DE Leonard Floyd (illness), T Jake Matthews (ankle), CB Clark Phillips (triceps, illness), LB Jalon Walker (groin)

Limited Participation in Practice
TE Feleipe Franks (calf), WR Darnell Mooney (hamstring)

Full Participation in Practice
DE Ta'Quon Graham (calf), DT Lacale London (triceps)