The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 14 contest against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The team is doing so at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida this week, opting not to return to the Bay Area between its two back-to-back road games.
DE Dee Ford last practiced on November 15 and has been inactive the last two games. He returned to the practice field on Wednesday, which is good news for the 49ers. Although, he was limited. The team is a little banged up along the defensive line, having placed Ronald Blair (ACL) and Damontre Moore (fractured arm) on injured reserve, and with DE Jullian Taylor expected to miss some time with a ligament issue in his elbow.
DT D.J. Jones is dealing with an ankle injury, but practiced with his teammates on Wednesday.
Also out on the field were CB Richard Sherman (limited, knee), OT Joe Staley (limited, finger), and RB Matt Breida (full, ankle). Sherman's injury occurred against the Ravens while Staley and Breida have been inactive for the last three games.
Despite limping after the game on Sunday, Sherman vowed to be ready to play against the Ravens.
"I'll be ready," Sherman told reporters. "I'm an old man. Sometimes it takes a second. I may not practice every day this week, but I'll be ready to go Sunday."
WR Dante Pettis (knee) did not practice but was getting some work in on a side field. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters this week that he would be surprised to get his second-year receiver back for this weekend.
S Jaquiski Tartt, who suffered a rib fracture on Sunday, did not practice. He, along with Sherman and Jones, is considered day-to-day, according to Shanahan.
Below are Wednesday's practice participation reports for both the 49ers and Saints, which were provided by the 49ers Communications staff.
San Francisco 49ers Wednesday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
WR Dante Pettis (knee), S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs), DT Jullian Taylor (elbow)
Limited Participation in Practice
DE Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring), DT D.J. Jones (ankle), TE George Kittle (knee, ankle), CB Richard Sherman (knee), T Joe Staley (finger)
Full Participation in Practice
RB Matt Breida (ankle), WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder), WR Emmanuel Sanders (ribs)
New Orleans Saints Wednesday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
LB Kiko Alonso (thigh), LB A.J. Klein (knee), G Andrus Peat (forearm)
Limited Participation in Practice
T Terron Armstead (ankle), RB Zach Line (knee)