For the second straight day, Deebo Samuel was listed as not participating in 49ers practice. Yet that does not necessarily mean he is trending downwards ahead of their Week 4 game with the Cardinals.

Speaking on KNBR on Thursday, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Samuel and Jauan Jennings, who was always listed as missing practice for the second day in succession, would be listed as questionable.

Samuel stands as the most significant concern for the 49ers, who received a boost on Thursday as a key defensive starter returned to the field after missing Wednesday's practice.

49ers injury report

Player	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday
Dre Greenlaw	Ankle	DNP	Limited
Jauan Jennings	Shin	DNP	DNP
Deebo Samuel	Ribs, Knee	DNP	DNP
Trent Williams	Resting Player	DNP	Full
Brandon Aiyuk	Shoulder	Limited	Full
Ambry Thomas	Knee	Limited	Full
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles	Ankle	Full	Full

Injury report observations

Samuel is listed as DNP, but he was present for the walkthrough section of practice before leaving the field to go to the weight room.

That, along with Shanahan's comments, leaves some room for optimism that Samuel will play this weekend and that the Niners are simply being very cautious with him during the week. Jennings followed the same routine as Samuel.

Greenlaw's return should calm any fears of him being unavailable in Week 4, while Aiyuk is firmly on track to play after missing Week 3. The 49ers' leading receiver wore a non-contact jersey on Wednesday but there were no such limitations on him or cornerback Thomas on Thursday.

The Niners are largely in excellent shape health-wise for Week 4, with the primary question surrounding the status of arguably their most versatile weapon for a test that could be more difficult than many anticipate.

Dre Greenlaw eases fears of Week 4 absence, returns to 49ers practice

He looks on track to play.