49ers injury updates: Kittle is day-to-day with knee and ankle issues

Kyle’s update 5:15 p.m: Witherspoon has a quad injury on the official practice report. That’s a new injury, which would suggest he had a setback. Shanahan hasn’t mentioned a timetable for Witherspoon’s return when talking about the other players that are returning from injury.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan met with the media before Thursday’s practice. He said that tight end George Kittle won’t practice Thursday due to knee and ankle injuries. Shanahan is hopeful Kittle can play. “It’s something we’re not going to know until the end of the week.”

Here is the practice report:

Did not practice

Robbie Gould (quadricep)

George Kittle (knee, ankle)

Levine Toilolo (groin)

Ahkello Witherspoon (foot, quad)

Limited

Matt Breida (ankle)

Dee Ford (quadricep)

Kyle Juszczyk (knee)

Mike McGlinchey (knee)

Raheem Mostert (knee)

Joe Staley (fibula)

Kittle is questionable. We haven’t heard a word on Ahkello. He went from ahead of schedule to the team being silent.

Shanahan said he’s confident that Staley and Juszczyk will suit up Monday night. Those two are a “hair” ahead of McGlinchey. Shanahan is hopeful that all three can play. He also said the team would “explore all of their options,” when asked if Justin Skule would move to right tackle with Staley back. Daniel Brunskill has outplayed Skule, so I don’t believe the team should make that move.

Shanahan seemed discouraged about the possibility of WR Trent Taylor coming off of the injured reserve. His setbacks from a foot fracture have included an infection in the foot. Shanahan was much more optimistic about Jalen Hurd, who will be evaluated next week and will have a chance to come off IR for the December stretch run.

The coach didn’t rule Gould out for Monday. “He’s got a chance to play Monday, and if not, we expect him back the following week.”

Celek time

Celek has a three-week window to prove to the 49ers that he’s worthy of a roster spot. The 49ers have until November 25 to activate Celek to the 53-man roster or release him. Celek is aware:

“Hopefully, I put up enough good film over these next three weeks that they feel confident enough to be able to activate me. I have a three-week window now.”

Celek has surgery on a herniated disk back in early June. Celek had a concussion that caused him to miss the final game of the season last year, and also had surgery in the offseason to repair his broken thumb.

There is no denying the team’s love for Celek.