The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 16 contest against the Washington Commanders on Saturday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel continues his light work on a side field as he recovers from MCL and ankle sprains. The 49ers expect him to be healthy enough to return before the end of the regular season, but with the NFC West title already wrapped up, there is no urgency to bring him back early.
"He's doing good," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after Thursday's practice. "I saw him there running on the side, and it seems like he's right on track."
#49ers WR Deebo Samuel (knee, ankle) again doing some light work on the side during early open portion of practicing. Actually doing some jogging/running today. Moving well all things considered.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 22, 2022
Shanahan revealed that running back Jordan Mason is dealing with a hamstring injury sustained on Wednesday. He is among those listed as "questionable" for Saturday's game.
"It was a little tight on him yesterday," Shanahan said of Mason's hamstring issue.
Charvarius Ward, who is in the concussion protocol, is still wearing a blue no-contact jersey. It was initially reported that the cornerback was not wearing one on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, that was just for the portions of practices that were open to the media. The 49ers confirmed that Ward wore a no-contact jersey once team drills started.
Shanahan notes that Ward is in the "last steps" of the concussion protocol, and the team will learn more about his status on Friday. San Francisco listed the cornerback as "questionable" to play on Saturday.
For first time this week during early open portion of practice, #49ers CB Charvarius Ward is wearing a blue no contact jersey. (It's possible he wore it after media left previous two days). He's working through concussion protocol. Will get update from Kyle Shanahan in an hour. pic.twitter.com/TICRQPn9yA
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 22, 2022
Adding here: Mooney Ward has indeed been wearing the blue no-contact jersey during practice this week, I'm told. Just didn't happen to have it on during early portion of practice open to media past two days (which isn't unusual since there are no contact drills during that part). https://t.co/pm0Z6zhJuK
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 22, 2022
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw practiced for the second consecutive day. Shanahan said that the 49ers expect to activate Kinlaw for Saturday's game. Kinlaw has not played since Week 3 due to a setback in his surgically reconstructed knee.
Below are the official injury reports for the 49ers and Commanders, provided by the 49ers Communications staff. Also included are Thursday's practice participation reports.
San Francisco 49ers
Out
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), DL Kevin Givens (knee), WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee)
Questionable
DL Kerry Hyder (ankle), RB Jordan Mason (hamstring), DB Tarvarius Moore (illness, knee), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle), CB Charvarius Ward (concussion)
Washington Commanders
Out
T Saahdiq Charles (concussion)
Questionable
S Kamren Curl (ankle), CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle)
San Francisco 49ers Thursday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
QB Jimmy Garoppolo (foot), DL Kevin Givens (knee), DB Tarvarius Moore (illness, knee), WR Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee)
Limited Participation in Practice
DL Kerry Hyder (ankle), RB Jordan Mason (hamstring), QB Brock Purdy (oblique, rib), CB Ambry Thomas (ankle), CB Charvarius Ward (concussion)
Full Participation in Practice
DL Arik Armstead (foot, ankle), WR Danny Gray (hamstring), RB Christian McCaffrey (knee), T Trent Williams (not injury related - resting player), CB Samuel Womack (concussion)
Washington Commanders Thursday Practice
Did Not Participate In Practice
T Saahdiq Charles (concussion), S Kamren Curl (ankle)
Limited Participation in Practice
CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle), DE Chase Young (knee)
Full Participation in Practice
RB Antonio Gibson (foot), G Andrew Norwell (shoulder), RB Brian Robinson (quadricep)