Jet-lagged 49ers ease into Thanksgiving practices; Trey Lance comeback still ‘a big ask’

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers are home for Thanksgiving break, to an extent. That doesn’t mean to take it too easy as they adjust their travel-weary bodies on a short week of practice before Sunday’s visit from the New Orleans Saints.

“A lot guys have family members at home, but they’re on vacation,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday, “so I have to remind young guys that it’s their (family members’) vacation, this is your job, so don’t feel guilty not hanging out with your uncle late at night. Hang out with him on Sunday night.”

After winning 38-10 Monday night in Mexico City’s 7,200-foot altitude, then arriving back at 49ers’ headquarters after 6 a.m. Tuesday, the 49ers (6-4) are easing back into aciton, including a late-start practice Wednesday that required lights for their first session inside Levi’s Stadium for the first time this season.

“It’ll be nice to be a little lower, closer to sea level. It’ll feel really good,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “Three home games (are upcoming), so we have to make the most of them.”

Bosa described Mexico City’s altitude as “brutal” and center Jake Brendel called it “no joke,” as some players said it took twice the toll on players’ bodies during the game.

Shanahan compared Monday’s atmosphere to that of a Super Bowl, to which linebacker Fred Warner said: “It’s human nature to be drained after a game like that and to be on a short week. Luckily we’re at home, so that helps. But at the same time you’ve got to be even more conscious and put even more effort into – it’s Thanksgiving week, you’ve got family in town – to make sure that you’re getting enough sleep, enough rest, and recovering the right way and being as intentional as possible on the practice field.”

LANCE COMEBACK?

Quarterback Trey Lance is moving well but don’t expect a late-season comeback, so said both Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. It’s been two months since surgery repaired Lynch’s fractured right ankle in the Sept. 18 home opener, and Lance has since ditched his orthopedic-support boot.

“I don’t see that as a possibility, and he did a number on his ankle,” Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM, about Lance coming off injured reserve this season. “He’ll be fine long-term but I think that’s a big ask to be back this year.”

“I haven’t been told there’s a chance. Things would have to be pretty drastic,” Shanahan added. “We weren’t expecting much from the beginning (of his recovery). He’s right on schedule with everything.”

Lance joined the 49ers last week in Colorado, where they practiced at the Air Force Academy, and he was on the sideline at Monday night’s win in Mexico City. On the eve of that game, he sat in on meetings that covered the offense’s third down and red zone packages.

“Now he’s preparing like he’s playing, except for everything on the field,” said Shanahan, noting that Lance is not yet cleared for running.

“We’re just really encouraged by the way it’s responding and by the way Trey has been working to try and make it as good as possible. Trey’s doing a good job, going to every meeting, supporting his teammates.  He’s well-liked.”

49ERS INJURY REPORT

Arik Armstead remained out of practice, signaling that the defensive tackle could miss his seventh straight game while recovering from a stress fracture in his ankle and plantar fasciitis in his foot.

Left tackle Trent Williams did not practice and instead rested, per his Wednesday routine. Defensive end Samson Ebukam, whose missed the past two games with a quadriceps injury, was limited in practice.

As for defensive backs Charvarius Ward and Jimmie Ward briefly exiting Monday’s game, Shanahan cited fatigue from the altitude, adding that linebacker Dre Greenlaw “jammed something” in the fourth quarter but was OK.

SAINTS’ HEALTH CHECK

Defensive end Cameron Jordan was one of nine Saints limited in Wednesay’s practice, after an eye injury kept him out of their 27-20 win Sunday over the Rams. Not practicing were defensive end Payton Turner, linebacker Pete Werner and safety J.T. Gray. Among those also limited were running back Mark Ingram, wide receiver Jarvis Landry, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, guard Andrus Peat and tackle Ryan Ramczyk.

Cam Inman joined the Bay Area News Group in 1995, specializing in the 49ers and NFL since 2000.