Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Another day, another 49ers player with an unexpected injury. Whenever Dee Ford’s name pops up on the injury report, which has been all too often since he joined San Francisco, it’s been reasonable to assume it’s lower-body related.

But Ford’s absence on Thursday, after practicing in full on Wednesday, was an unusual one. He was listed on the injury report as being out with a neck injury. That came after defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who always declines to explain the injury status of players and who should be ignored when he does said he wasn’t very concerned about Ford’s status.

Meanwhile, Ahkello Witherspoon returned to practice with a blue, non-contact jersey after being out on Wednesday in concussion protocol. His return will be a massive boost after Richard Sherman’s placement on injured reserve this week, and with the fact that Jason Verrett has yet to practice thus far with a hamstring strain.

Both George Kittle (left knee sprain) and Richie James Jr. (hamstring strain) also remained out of practice, while Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring strain) and Ben Garland (ankle sprain) have practice in full both days this week, leaving it near certain they will play on Sunday.