SANTA CLARA – The 49ers were missing eight offensive players Thursday during their first practice in preparation to face the Green Bay Packers.
Among the players who were held out of practice due to injuries were three starting offensive linemen (Joe Staley, Weston Richburg and Mike Person), three wide receivers (Pierre Garçon, Trent Taylor and Dante Pettis), tight end George Kittle and running back Matt Breida.
“Obviously, it’s tough having the guys who are going to be (playing) not out there with you practicing, but it’s a good opportunity for the other guys to get in and get reps, like Richie James and guys, Vic (Bolden),” 49ers quarterback C.J. Beathard said, referring to two of the team's young wide receivers.
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“It stinks, but at the same time, you take it as a positive for the guys who are getting the reps, and they’ll get better from it.”
Veteran wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who was held out of Sunday’s game against Arizona due to hamstring and thigh issues, was back at full practice on Thursday.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said there is still a chance Breida could play against the Packers after sustaining an ankle injury against the Cardinals. Breida did not sustain a high-ankle sprain, Shanahan said. Breida was seen walking without any noticeable limp in the locker room.
"I’m not ruling him out," Shanahan said. "He’ll be day-to-day. Still the same case. Still keeping our fingers crossed for it.”
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers must determine this week whether to promote Jeff Wilson or Matthew Dayes from the practice squad to suit up for Monday’s game, along with Alfred Morris and Raheem Mostert, if Breida is unavailable.
“It’ll be a competition between those two,” Shanahan said. “It’ll be a competition between Raheem Mostert and Alfred, and then trying to balance out how healthy Breida is, how healthy he can keep himself in the game and how effective we think he can be.”