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The 49ers on Wednesday opened the practice window for wide receiver Danny Gray.
Gray has been on IR with a shoulder injury since before the season started. He made the initial roster and was eligible to return after Week 4, but the team kept him on IR until the lead up to Week 17.
It’s unclear what the team’s plan is for their second-year WR. They could be opening his practice window to give him an opportunity to get on the field before the season ends, but if he’s not activated in the next three weeks he’ll go on IR for good.
They may also be giving him a chance to play his way onto the field. San Francisco is a little banged up at receiver and they may be looking to see if Gray offers a better option as a kick/punt returner than rookie WR Ronnie Bell. Bell has struggled with those duties since taking over for Ray-Ray McCloud, who’s eligible to come off IR ahead of Week 18.