SANTA CLARA – Not even the sight of Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Trent Williams back at practice could keep the 49ers’ positive vibes going long Thursday.
Backup linebacker Curtis Robinson was carted off with a non-contact leg injury after running downfield in punt coverage and collapsing barely 15 minutes into practice.
So goes the 49ers’ injury luck in a season they’ve started 1-2 without Christian McCaffrey. Samuel and Kittle both missed Sunday’s 27-24 loss at the Los Angeles Rams, where defensive tackle Javon Hargrave sustained a season-ending triceps tear.
The 49ers host the New England Patriots (1-2) on Sunday, and Samuel’s surprising appearance Thursday could signal his availability after what was suspected to be a two-game absence due to a calf strain. Samuel did not appear to be favoring a leg in Thursday’s action, and it’s unknown if he’d promptly reclaim his starting slot ahead of Jauan Jennings, who had three touchdown catches among 11 receptions for 175 yards Sunday.
Robinson, in his fourth year out of Stanford, immediately grasped at his right knee and quickly was tended to by the team’s medical staff. Safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Fred Warner came over to offer well wishes, as did coach Kyle Shanahan.
Once loaded onto a cart, Robinson dropped his head into his left hand and special teams drills resumed, as did the music of Bruce Springsteen.
Robinson has played 59 special-teams snaps, and while he’d yet to debut on defense this season, that possibility was floated in light of De’Vondre Campbell’s brief benching Sunday. Robinson has played in three games each of the past four seasons.
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Dee Winters played six snaps Sunday in place of Campbell before aggravating an ankle injury that forced him out of the game. Winter was held out of Wednesday’s practice but resumed practicing Thursday in a limited capacity.
Rookie wide receiver Jacob Cowing was not seen at practice, and if he is unable to play Sunday, his role as the 49ers’ primary return specialist could go to practice-squad veteran Trent Taylor, if not Ronnie Bell.
Williams was kept out of Wednesday’s practice with an illness.
Quarterback Brock Purdy again looked to be a full participant, three days after an MRI revealed no significant issue tracing to his back soreness after Sunday’s game.