The San Francisco 49ers' injury report added two more names Wednesday, and it didn't take long for two more players to join them before practice was over.
Defensive tackle Gracen Halton (ankle) and right guard Dominick Puni (concussion) were held out of practice, according to NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. Puni's absence is a particular concern for an offensive line that has already been shuffling personnel through the opening weeks of camp, with Connor Colby working into the mix at left guard. Losing Puni to the concussion protocol, even temporarily, forces San Francisco to lean further on its depth up front.
Halton's ankle issue adds to a defensive tackle room that's already been thin. The 49ers waived Mikail Kamara with an injury designation earlier in camp after he tore his ACL, and rookie C.J. West has been trying to establish himself in the rotation. That group took another hit Wednesday when West and edge rusher Titus Leo were both shaken up and left practice early, per the same report. Their statuses weren't immediately known, but any extended absence would thin out a front seven that's already dealing with attrition. Halton was enjoying a nice preseason before this injury.
The new additions come on top of an offseason and camp that has been rough on San Francisco's roster. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was placed on season-ending injured reserve because of lingering issues from last year's PCL injury, and the receiver room has been further strained by Mike Evans (quad), Christian Kirk (calf) and De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) all missing time. Evans and Stribling are back, at least, and Stribling enjoyed a great preseason debut against the Titans.
Running back Jordan James is also out with fractured ribs, and George Kittle opened camp on the active/PUP list as he continues working back from a torn Achilles.
Christian McCaffrey is perhaps the biggest remaining question mark, as he continues to sit out of practice, held back by what the team has described as "tightness." Any missed practice time draws scrutiny given his recent injury history.
None of Wednesday's new injuries have been labeled serious, but the pattern is becoming familiar for a 49ers team that dealt with a wave of injuries last season as well. With the regular season approaching, San Francisco's coaching staff will be monitoring Halton, Puni, West and Leo closely in the coming days to determine whether any of the injuries carry into the season opener.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers injury list keeps growing with 2 new additions
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