Photo: Kyle Terada, USA Today Sports

Wednesday Media Updates

***George Kittle is unlikely to play this week. On Wednesday afternoon, Kyle Shanahan told reporters the team would not have Kittle this week only to have a team spokesman roll the statement back later in the evening. Kittle hasn't practiced in nearly two weeks with what's likely a bone bruise near the knee joint and an ankle sprain.

***Matt Breida aggravated an ankle sprain last week. While he has routinely played through injuries in past seasons, there are multiple reports the Niners will choose to rest him at least one week. Consider him doubtful unless he practices by Friday. Emmanuel Sanders did not practice with a rib condition but is much closer to playing than Breida.

***Adam Thielen is not practicing. Though Mike Zimmer suggested Thielen didn't aggravate his hamstring strain significantly, his missed practice implies the injury is significant enough to need more rest through next week's bye.

***Earlier this week, Frank Reich told reporters Jacoby Brissett would play if cleared for a full practice on Wednesday. Brissett did fully practice and is expected to return.

***The Lions did not clear Matthew Stafford to practice Wednesday. It's not a hopeful sign for a possible return to play this week. Prepare for him to be inactive another week.

THURSDAY NIGHT INJURY EXPECTATIONS

Here are the key offensive players listed on the practice participation or game status report for Thursday Night Football:

Pittsburgh at Cleveland

***James Conner is back after a full week of practice. He should immediately see a full workload. He won't have Roosevelt Nix blocking in front of him but guard Ramon Foster will play after missing a week recovering from a concussion.

Early week practice participation and playing expectations

The Wednesday and Thursday practice participation reports are our first chance to see which players each NFL team is limiting in practice after the previous week's games. Players limited in mid-week practice aren't necessarily in danger of missing that week's game. But they all need to be watched closely.

*Note: Monday night players with asterisk practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Note: Asterisk denotes Monday night players who practice Thursday/Friday/Saturday.

Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the week.