LaMichael James (knee) returned to 49ers practice Thursday.

It puts James on track for Sunday, but it's not outside the realm of possibility he ends up a healthy scratch. James is currently without a role in San Francisco.

LaMichael James (knee) is inactive for Monday night's Week 2 game against the Seahawks.

James didn't practice all week and was never expected to be available despite being listed as questionable. The rest of the 49ers inactives are WR Jonathan Baldwin, QB B.J. Daniels, WR Chris Harper, OG Joe Looney, DT Tony Jerod-Eddie, and LB Nathan Stupar.

LaMichael James (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Seahawks.

James missed his third consecutive practice Friday and is expected to be ruled out for Week 2. Kendall Hunter will handle all backup duties behind Frank Gore.

LaMichael James (knee) remained absent from 49ers practice Thursday, and is expected to be inactive for Week 2.

James isn't ready to return from the sprained MCL he suffered in San Francisco's preseason finale. He's not a threat to Kendall Hunter's No. 2 job.

LaMichael James (knee) did not practice for the 49ers Wednesday.

James was optimistic that he'd be able to return this week. It's looking unlikely. James is nursing a sprained MCL he sustained in the preseason finale.

LaMichael James (knee) believes he'll be able to practice Wednesday.

James sprained his MCL in the preseason finale. Even if he does end up getting cleared for Week 2, there's a chance he may be a healthy scratch. James wasn't impressive in the preseason. He's no higher than the No. 3 back.

LaMichael James (knee) will be inactive for Sunday's Week 1 game against the Packers.

James is nursing an MCL sprain, but he was no lock to dress anyway. The second-year scatback averaged just 2.29 YPC in the preseason and is clearly behind Kendall Hunter. He could even be behind Anthony Dixon. James and A.J. Jenkins (who has been traded) were the Niners' first two picks in the 2012 draft.

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco suggests second-year RB LaMichael James may be a game-day scratch even when he returns from his MCL sprain.

James was scratched when Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter were both healthy in 2012. Per Maiocco, James "struggled with his blocking" and "seemed to go backward" in the preseason, managing 55 yards on 24 carries (2.29 YPC). The 61st overall pick in last year's draft, James is shaping up as a disappointment.

49ers RB LaMichael James has been diagnosed with a sprained MCL.

The 49ers have yet to provide a timetable for his return, but it's a multi-week injury that will almost certainly knock James out for the opener. Kendall Hunter was already locked in as Frank Gore's primary handcuff, so it's not a terribly noteworthy development from a fantasy perspective. James will remain off the radar in re-draft leagues upon his return.

49ers RB LaMichael James exited Thursday night's preseason finale with a left knee injury.

It's not believed to be serious, but he's done for the night. James remained on the sideline with his knee wrapped in ice. The second-year back rushed two times for minus-four yards before leaving. He finishes an unimpressive preseason with 24 carries for 55 yards (2.29 YPC) and one catch for a three-yard loss. James has been running as the No. 3 back ever since Kendall Hunter (Achilles') was activated off the PUP list on August 10. James isn't on the re-draft radar. Hunter remains Frank Gore's top handcuff.

Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed the 49ers expect LaMichael James to be "fine" after Sunday night's elbow injury.

"I think LaMichael's fine," Harbaugh assured. "LaMichael's fine. He's going through something with his elbow." James appeared to only bang the elbow. He remains on track to begin the season as the Niners' No. 3 running back.

After rushing nine times for 15 yards, 49ers RB LaMichael James exited Sunday night's third preseason game with an elbow injury.

He won't return, but the Niners deemed him "questionable," suggesting James avoided serious injury. Through three preseason affairs, James has carried 22 times for 59 yards (2.68 YPC). James has been a disappointment through one NFL season and two camps, failing to earn a significant role in Jim Harbaugh's offense. He's the No. 3 back behind Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter.

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco suggests LaMichael James' 2013 role "could be minimal" as the 49ers' No. 3 tailback.

This assumes Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter stay healthy, of course. Maiocco confirms James will be third on the depth chart, with perhaps a role when the Niners spread out their offense in some read-option sets. Although James drew Darren Sproles comparisons coming out of Oregon, he has not been lining up at receiver in training camp and is barely involved in the passing game.

LaMichael James rushed eight times for 27 yards in the 49ers' preseason opener against Denver.

James got the start for Frank Gore (rest), and averaged 3.34 yards per carry while failing to catch a pass. The 49ers' primary kickoff and punt returner, James is San Francisco's No. 3 running back behind Gore and Kendall Hunter.

LaMichael James is penciled in as the 49ers' kick and punt returner.

James averaged a hefty 29.8 yards per kickoff return last year, but got just 14 chances as he split time with Kyle Williams and Ted Ginn. He didn't bring back any punts. Now the coaching staff trusts his ball security more. James is expected to cede backup running back duties once Kendall Hunter (Achilles') comes off active/PUP.

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco would put "money" on Kendall Hunter receiving more 2013 carries than LaMichael James.

This assumes Hunter's health cooperates after a 2012 Achilles' tear. James was largely unimpressive when we went back and reviewed his rookie-year tape this offseason, running hesitantly inside the tackles and looking far more like a change-up back and kickoff returner than future NFL lead running back.

49ers RB LaMichael James says he's up to 205 pounds, after playing at 195 last season, in an effort to get stronger and more explosive.

GM Trent Baalke has already alluded to the team being "believers in the three-headed approach," headed into this season. James saw 6.1 carries per game from week 7 through the Super Bowl last season, and it's safe to assume he'll be in that range again unless an injury occurs. Historically, we've seen scat-backs who add weight lose their effectiveness, so this may be something to keep an eye on.

LaMichael James rushed just three times for ten yards in San Francisco's Super Bowl XLVII loss to Baltimore.

The 49ers overcame LaMichael James' first-quarter kick return fumble in the NFC Championship Game, but they couldn't escape his fumble to kill a promising drive in the second quarter of the Super Bowl. The ball was popped loose by Ravens OLB Courtney Upshaw, and Baltimore capitalized with a ten-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Not surprisingly, James didn't touch the football again. The 61st pick in last April's draft, James will likely return as Frank Gore's primary change-of-pace back in 2013, as Kendall Hunter is coming off a torn Achilles'.

LaMichael James played on 10-of-55 offensive plays in the NFC Championship Game.

The speedy James continues to act in a strict change-of-pace role. In the six games since he took over the backup job, the rookie has averaged 5.8 carries for 30.0 yards and scored one touchdown. Expect similar usage in the Super Bowl.

LaMichael James rushed five times for 34 yards and a touchdown and caught a four-yard pass in San Francisco's NFC title game win over Atlanta.

James gave the 49ers a major first-quarter scare by fumbling at the end of a kick return, but San Francisco luckily recovered. The second-round rookie atoned by taking a read-option handoff into the end zone for an explosive 15-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Although James has impressive burst and straight-line speed, he lacks elusiveness and struggles to make defenders miss. He is and will remain a change-of-pace back in the NFL