Injury updates: Kittle remains out with a knee sprain

Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media ahead of Wednesday’s practice and provided a few injury updates. Star tight end George Kittle remains out with a knee sprain. He won’t practice on Wednesday. Adam Schefter tweeted that Kittle won’t practice for the rest of the week. Shanahan said, “Kittle, he’s battling. We thought he’d be all right. He woke up the next day, a little sore. He fully expects to be there Sunday like he always does, and like he always plays through the game when it happens. But we’ll give him the whole week.” That doesn’t sound like a player who will practice. It does sound like a player who will be a game-time decision.

Shanahan added, “Kittle is one guy, if he’s ready to go on Sunday and the doctors say he’s good to go, we have no problem with him going without practicing.” So, if the doctors give Kittle the green light, we’ll see him Sunday against the Jets. If not, Shanahan hinted at Jordan Reed playing more during Week 2. Reed only played 10 snaps on Sunday. It seemed as if the 49ers wanted to throw him out there for a series or so and see how Reed responds. As bad as we all want to see Reed play, I believe taking it slow and easing him in is the wise decision. Reed will be needed in December, not September.

Richie James Jr. remains out with a hamstring injury, as does Jason Verrett with the same injury. They both will not practice Wednesday, and there are no new updates on either player. Ahkello Witherspoon will also sit out of Wednesday’s practice as he’s in the concussion protocol. The following players will not practice on Wednesday:

TE George Kittle (knee)

WR Richie James (hammy)

CB Jason Verrett (hammy)

CB Ahkello Witherspoon (concussion)

Limited

WR Brandon Aiyuk (hammy)

C Ben Garland (ankle)

To IR

Richard Sherman (calf)

Shanahan said that Tim Harris Jr. strained his calf during last Friday’s practice, and that’s why he went on the IR. Shanahan is optimistic about Ben Garland practicing this week and hopes both he and Aiyuk will play Sunday.