San Francisco 49ers: Injury Updates Entering Preseason Week 2

The San Francisco 49ers managed to escape Thursday night's 10-6 preseason loss to the Denver Broncos without a major injury to a key player, which is always a point of priority. After all, the first-team offense left the field after just 13 plays, and most starters were out of the game before the second quarter began.

However, no team is without injury concerns during the training camp period, and the 49ers are no exception. A few players were removed from action in the first preseason contest, and others sat out completely for various reasons.

This list compiles the latest on several players who have had injury-related news since the preseason opener wrapped up in San Francisco.

QB Colt McCoy

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that a Friday morning MRI confirmed only a minor injury to McCoy's right shoulder and neck area. The injury was described after the game as a "stinger," per CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.

Branch also indicated that McCoy returned to limited practice on Saturday in a non-contact jersey and is expected to play in this week's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Jimmy Durkin of the Mercury News, McCoy was back to full participation in practice on Sunday, which also bodes well for his availability for Friday night's game. 

LB Nick Moody

Moody injured his left knee against the Broncos and was walked off the field with trainers, but he gave a positive report after the game on his personal Twitter account. According to Chris Biderman of Scout.com's Niners Digest, coach Jim Harbaugh said the team "dodged a bullet with Nick Moody." 

Biderman also said that Moody was back as a full participant in practice on Saturday with a brace on his left knee. The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows reports that Moody saw a fair share of first-team snaps at Monday's practice as well, filling in as Patrick Willis works his way back from a hand injury. By those reviews, it appears that Moody's knee is fine.

TE Vance McDonald

Cam Inman of The Mercury News reports that Vance McDonald has been held out of practice with an undisclosed injury since the Denver game. The 49ers official Twitter account indicated that Coach Harbaugh doesn't expect McDonald to play against Kansas City on Friday. 

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee took it a step further, saying that McDonald will not play against the Chiefs. This situation has been fairly low-profile, so it will be worth keeping an eye on McDonald's status as the preseason continues. 

RB Kendall Hunter

Per Taylor Price of 49ers.com, Kendall Hunter was finally activated from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as a result of last season's Achilles injury. There is no definitive timetable for Hunter's return to in-game action, and CBSSports.com lists his status as "uncertain" for Friday's game against the Chiefs.

However, The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows says that Hunter will have to earn back his job at No. 2 running back, according to Coach Harbaugh. Barrows' report quotes Harbaugh as saying "whenever you're coming off any injury, you've got to prove that you're back to 100 percent." Given that, expect the 49ers to remain cautious with Hunter's progress, if he sees action in the preseason at all.

WR Kyle Williams

Williams did not play against the Broncos, but a post on his official Twitter account indicated that he expects to play this week. According to The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows, Williams sat out as a precaution for a hamstring injury, but looked good in practice on Sunday and should be expected to play against the Chiefs.

Barrows also reported that Williams was practicing again on Monday, taking back snaps from fellow wide receiver AJ Jenkins. If Williams is returning to significant reps, there is reason to believe he will be back to in-game action sooner rather than later.

Other Notables

CB Tarell Brown 

After sitting out two practices with an undisclosed injury, Brown was back in action on Monday, per Cam Inman of the Mercury News.

LT Joe Staley  

According to The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows, Staley has sat out practice again on Monday, but does not believe the injury to be serious. 

S/ST Raymond "Bubba" Ventrone 

Chris Biderman of Scout.com's Niners Digest reports that Ventrone has not practiced since the Broncos game and is not expected to be ready for Friday. Inman listed Ventrone as having a "hamstring" injury.