49ers practice report: Gross-Matos, Winters return Thursday originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers had their entire team in protective gear and on the practice field Thursday.
Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and linebacker Dee Winters returned to practice for the first time since the end of preseason.
Gross-Matos suffered a knee injury in the 49ers’ final preseason game, Aug. 23, against the Las Vegas Raiders. Winters is out with an ankle injury. Both players were inactive when the club opened the regular season Monday night against the New York Jets.
Running back Christian McCaffrey was back on the field and participated in the team’s individual periods at the start of practice.
McCaffrey is limited by Achilles tendonitis and a calf injury. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that the club has not considered placing McCaffrey on the injured list.
The star running back’s availability for the 49ers’ Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday remains in doubt. He was inactive for the opener against the Jets after participating in a limited practice last week.
If McCaffrey is unable to play, the 49ers will once again turn to backup Jordan Mason. The 49ers’ run game was stronger than ever Monday night, as Mason rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 attempts.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was also among the 49ers’ inactive players in the season opener, also wore padding as he continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last November.
Guard Aaron Banks (finger, calf) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) also took to the practice field after being limited on Wednesday.
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