Christian Kirk

After having his 21-day practice window opened Thursday, Kirk looked to have a realistic chance at returning from injured reserve in Week 6, especially in light of the depleted state of the 49ers receiving corps. However, with Kirk managing only limited participation from Thursday through Saturday, the 49ers will give him at least one more week to increase his practice activity before potentially bringing him back from IR. San Francisco will have Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles) -- if active -- along with Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and Malik Turner as its options at receiver Monday.

Reporter

On IR all season while working his way back from a calf injury sustained early in training camp, Kirk appears to be closing in on his 49ers debut after having his 21-day practice window opened Thursday. He proceeded to turn in three consecutive limited practices, which may be enough for the 49ers to activate Kirk to provide aid to a banged-up receiving corps. Deebo Samuel (hamstring) has already been ruled out for Monday's contest and top wideout Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles) is listed as questionable and is shaping up as a game-time call after not practicing all week, so Kirk could be needed to handle a meaningful role in the passing game right off the bat if he's activated.

Injury / practice

The 49ers officially listed Kirk as questionable for Week 6 after opening his practice window this week, which allowed him to log limited practices Thursday and Friday. Shanahan hinted Saturday that Kirk has a chance to make his 49ers debut Monday, and a call on that front could be contingent on the health of top wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs/Achilles). With Deebo Samuel (hamstring) sidelined for the foreseeable future and three other WRs on IR, Brandin Cooks, Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins are the only healthy options at the position on the active roster.

Injury / practice

Kirk had his 21-day practice window opened Thursday, as he's eyeing a potential return from injured reserve Monday night against the Commanders. The 49ers will make a decision on his potential activation Saturday, so there will be a better idea of his Week 6 availability in the next 24 hours. Kirk's return would be a boost to an injury-ravaged San Francisco wideout room.

Injury / practice

The 49ers opened Kirk's practice window to return from injured reserve Thursday, which came only days after head coach Kyle Shanahan told Nick Wagoner of ESPN. com on Monday that the wide receiver was "unlikely" to practice this week. The team may have been spurred by the fact No. 1 WR Mike Evans is dealing with Achilles soreness in addition to sore ribs and Deebo Samuel's impending multi-week absence due to a strained right hamstring. In any case, San Francisco now has 21 days in which to evaluate Kirk before making a decision to bring him back to the active roster, but it remains uncertain if he has a chance to play Monday versus the Commanders.

Injury / practice

This is a mildly surprising move, as head coach Kyle Shanahan described Kirk on Monday as "unlikely" to resume practicing this week. Kirk was given a designation to return when he was initially placed on IR prior to the start of the regular season, so the plan has always been for the veteran wide receiver to make it back to action at some point during the season. His practice participation level will bear monitoring, as Kirk will likely need to ramp up to full participation before he gets a chance to suit up for game action. San Francisco's banged-up wide receiver room could certainly use the reinforcements, as Deebo Samuel (hamstring) is expected to miss Monday's game against the Commanders, while Demarcus Robinson (ankle), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) all remain on IR.

Injury / practice