There was plenty of good news for the San Francisco 49ers during Thursday's practice ahead of their Week 4 clash with the New England Patriots.

Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams and linebacker Dee Winters all returned to practice, Samuel's presence serving as a pleasant surprise. The wideout had been expected to miss two games with the calf injury he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but he now appears in good shape to return after missing just one.

But there were some unpleasant surprises that occurred in the session on the defensive side of the ball.

Backup linebacker Curtis Robinson was reportedly carted off with a knee injury sustained during a special teams injury. He was listed as limited.

Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (foot) was also added to the injury report as a limited participant. Cam Inman of The Bay Area News Group reported Elliott was also carted off. If the injury to Elliott is serious, that would compound the significant blow the 49ers suffered earlier this week when it was confirmed Javon Hargrave would be out for the rest of the season with a torn triceps muscle.

49ers Injury Report

Player	Injury	Wednesday	Thursday
DL Javon Hargrave	Tricep	DNP	DNP
WR Deebo Samuel	Calf	DNP	Limited
OT Trent Williams	Illness	DNP	Full
LB Dee Winters	Ankle	DNP	Limited
TE George Kittle	Hamstring	Limited	Limited
QB Brock Purdy	Back	Full	Full
DL Jordan Elliott	Foot	—	Limited
LB Curtis Robinson	Knee	—	Limited
WR Jacob Cowing	Illness	—	DNP

Elliott was signed in free agency this offseason in large part because of his durability that the 49ers figured would make him a valuable part of the rotation up front. To this point, he has struggled to make much of an impact across three games and his injury could rob him of the chance to prove himself in a starting role next to Maliek Collins. 

If it is an injury that will keep Elliott out this week and potentially beyond, that will leave the 49ers with just two healthy interior defensive linemen on the 53-man roster in Collins and longtime backup Kevin Givens.

The Niners added Shakel Brown to their practice squad this week. Brown, veteran T.Y. McGill and rookie Evan Anderson are all candidates to be elevated to the active roster for the Patriots game.

With the biggest concern from the 49ers' D-Line injuries the impact on the run defense against a Patriots team that excels on the ground, it may be wise for San Francisco to prioritize bringing up Anderson, a true space eater with the ability to hold his own against double teams.

Robinson's injury would be more of a concern had Winters not returned to practice. Along with All-Pro Fred Warner and Winters, the 49ers also have veteran De'Vondre Campbell, Demeterius Flannigan-Fowles and rookie Tatum Bethune on the roster at linebacker.

Winters' return could see him take the starting WILL linebacker job from the struggling Campbell, while Robinson's injury may force the 49ers to elevate DaShaun White from the practice squad.

49ers All-Pro provides them with an unexpected boost as they look to end two-game losing streak

It would be an earlier return than expected.