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The San Francisco 49ers welcomed back a key cog on Wednesday. Right tackle Anthony Davis was spotted heading out to practice, and Frank Gore was heard saying, "Now we've got Anthony Davis back." Earlier in the day, Jim Harbaugh was asked about Davis's status for this weekend. Coach Harbaugh said he was hopeful Davis would be able to return to practice today, if even just in a limited fashion. CSN Bay Area's Mindi Bach managed to get this from Davis:
I asked #49ers RT Anthony Davis if he was going to give practice a go today. He responded with a nod and a big grin.
— Mindi Bach (@MBachCSN) September 24, 2014
Davis is likely to be listed as "limited participation" on the practice report the 49ers will release this afternoon. This is a big step forward for Davis. Since injuring his hamstring at the end of the preseason, Davis has been a DNP at practice each week. This does not guarantee he will play, but getting on the practice field is a big step.
The 49ers have been playing Jonathan Martin at right tackle through the offseason and into the first three weeks of the regular season. His play has not been nearly as awful as people have made out to be, but it has not been consistent enough. It remains to be seen how quickly Anthony Davis will be back at 100 percent, but getting him back in the lineup should be a boost for the offense.