49ers injury update

The 49ers disclose Watkins will miss about a month after MRI confirming a high ankle sprain.

49ers Jordan Watkins out for a month with high ankle sprain

The 49ers returned to practice on Monday with several rookies sidelined. Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Jordan Watkins has a high ankle sprain and will miss about a month after an MRI. Rookie Upton Stout sat out with calf tightness, and Mykel Williams remained sidelined by a hyperextended knee. Marques Sigle practiced after leaving Saturday's game with a knee issue, while Renardo Green and Jacob Cowing were not practicing as they continue to recover from injuries dating back to camp. Several veterans returned to practice, including Ji Ayyir Brown, Evan Anderson, Chazz Surratt and Andre Dillard, though Jauan Jennings did light jogging before leaving practice.

Shanahan said Watkins' injury came as a surprise after the game and that the team will hold a joint practice with the Raiders this week to give the younger players extra reps. He noted Jacob Cowing had a strong day and will return to action, while Renardo Green would be held back for safety. The roster still carries a long injury list as camp moves on, and the team will monitor progress of the many players who have not practiced this week as they prepare for the preseason schedule.

The team's injury list tests depth early in camp, pushing younger players into bigger roles sooner than expected. The absence of Watkins and the uncertain status of Stout and Williams heighten the need for versatile options at receiver and along the line. San Francisco has to balance development with real game reps, a tightrope that can either accelerate growth or expose vulnerabilities if the injuries linger.

The decision to push ahead with a joint practice against the Raiders signals a practical, workmanlike approach. It gives rookies and depth players a chance to prove themselves in a controlled setting, where scheme and tempo differences can reveal weaknesses. If Cowing and Green can return soon and Sigle continues to step up, the 49ers could still build usable depth for the season, even as the injury list tests patience and planning.

Highlights

Depth will be shaped by how quickly players return and how well the next wave of backups seizes opportunities.