SANTA CLARA -- Kyle Shanahan expressed surprise on Wednesday that guard Joshua Garnett had not returned to practice.
"I'd be more surprised if he's not out there tomorrow," Shanahan said.
An hour before the scheduled start of practice on Thursday, the club announced that Garnett would not practice. Garnett banged knees during practice Saturday and sat out Sunday. The 49ers said the injury was not significant and he would not miss much time.
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Garnett opened training camp in competition with veteran Jonathan Cooper for the starting job at right guard. Mike Person and Erik Magnuson are also seeing action at that position.
Garnett, a first-round draft pick in 2016, will not take part in any contact drills.
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead (hamstring), tight end Cole Hikutini (groin), linebacker Brock Coyle (hip) and offensive lineman JP Flynn (knee) remain out indefinitely.
Left tackle Joe Staley, running back Jerick McKinnon, receiver Pierre Garcon, defensive linemen DeForest Buckner and Earl Mitchell, linebacker Malcolm Smith and cornerback Richard Sherman will not practice. Each player is being given a "recovery day" according to the team.
