NFL Player News

Coach Kyle Shanahan told KNBR on Thursday that Purdy (left shoulder/knee) is progressing toward a return to action Sunday against the Jaguars, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. "I think (the toe) is feeling better each day, and if that continues he should be good on Sunday," Shanahan said.

This marks the most declarative statement from Shanahan as it pertains to Purdy's ability to return since the quarterback suffered a turf toe variant and an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder during a Week 1 win at Seattle. Purdy has ceded QB duties to backup Mac Jones (knee) the last two games, and both quarterbacks were limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday. Purdy and Jones may retain designations once the 49ers post their final Week 4 injury report Friday, but if Shanahan's most recent comments bear weight, it appears Purdy will be back under center this weekend.

Pearsall (knee) was limited at practice Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Prior to sitting out Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Pearsall said that he'd be playing if there was a game, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. Pearsall's return to drills one day later sets him up to do just that Sunday versus the Jaguars, but he may still enter the weekend with a designation when the 49ers post their final Week 4 practice report Friday. If he's able to suit up, who between Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe) and Mac Jones (knee) will be under center remains to be seen.

Belton (ankle) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Belton went backwards Thursday after logging a limited practice to open the week Wednesday. The offensive lineman is dealing with an ankle injury, and with Zach Tom (oblique) already expected to miss Week 4, Darian Kinnard may be asked to start at right tackle against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Jones (knee) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

On the heels of his second start in place of Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe) this past Sunday against the Cardinals, Jones revealed that he aggravated an existing PCL sprain in his left knee, which so far has capped his practice reps this week. Purdy himself also was limited Wednesday and Thursday, potentially setting up Friday's session to be key as coach Kyle Shanahan hones in on who will be under center Week 4 versus the Jaguars. In the aforementioned starts, Jones completed 53 of 80 passes for 563 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, rushed seven times for five yards and fumbled twice (one lost).

Walker (quadriceps) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Walker has logged back-to-back limited practices to open the week while dealing with a quadriceps issue. The offensive lineman will have one more chance to log a full practice Friday before the team travels to Texas to face the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Banks (groin) did not participate at practice Thursday.

Banks was absent from practice for the second straight day to open the week as he nurses a groin injury. The offensive lineman will likely have to return to practice in some capacity Friday in order to have a chance to play Sunday in Dallas. If Banks can't play in Week 4, Jordan Morgan would be a top candidate to start at left guard versus the Cowboys.

Purdy (left shoulder/toe) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.

Purdy continues to string together capped sessions going back to Week 3 prep, and he even handled the first QB reps during pre-practice drills Thursday, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. Afterward, when asked if he'll start Sunday against the Jaguars, Purdy told Vic Tafur of The Athletic, "We'll see. I like where I'm at. I am felling a lot better." Purdy has missed the last two games due to a turf toe variant and an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, and Mac Jones, who's earned a pair of spot starts in Purdy's place, is dealing with a sprained PCL of his own. Unless coach Kyle Shanahan officially names a starter for Week 4 on Friday, the decision to roll with Purdy or Jones in Week 4 may come down to Sunday's 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff.

Havenstein (ankle) did not participate in practice for the second day in a row Thursday, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

The right tackle emerged from last Sunday's loss to the Eagles "a little sore," per Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com, quoting Los Angeles coach Sean McVay. Now that Havenstein has missed two straight practice days, his injury is at least worth monitoring during Friday's session ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Colts. Warren McClendon is his backup.

Kinchens (shoulder) was a full participant at practice Thursday, Adam Grosbard of The Orange County Register reports.

Kinchens opened the week as a limited participant at practice Wednesday, but Thursday's full practice seems to suggest that he's a full go for Sunday's matchup with the Colts. The safety has compiled 21 total tackles (13 solo) and two passes defensed over the team's first three games of the year.

Tuten (shoulder) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union reports.

For a second straight session to kick off Week 4 prep, Tuten operated with a cap on his reps due to a shoulder issue. The rookie fourth-round pick thus has one more chance to prove his health before the Jaguars potentially tag him with a designation for Sunday's game in San Francisco. Working behind Jacksonville's lead runner Travis Etienne, Tuten still has notched 17 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown and two catches (on three targets) for 32 yards and another score through the first three contests of his career.