SANTA CLARA >> Has the 49ers’ never-ending injury saga taken a turn for the better?

Quarterback Brock Purdy, who came out of a 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a sore back, practiced Wednesday without limitations as the 49ers (1-2) began preparations to face the New England Patriots (1-2) at Levi’s Stadium in Week 4.

Tight end George Kittle has also made progress with a hamstring strain that kept him out of the Rams loss as he was on the field on a limited basis.

Purdy was moving with fluidity and throwing the ball effortlessly during warmups and drills. Kittle was gradually worked into some of the drills and was catching passes and moving without a limp.

Those who weren’t scheduled to practice were wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (triceps). Samuel is not expected to face the Patriots and Hargrave is likely out for the season and soon will be headed to injured reserve.

The 49ers continue to be without running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr. (chest), both of whom are on injured reserve and not yet eligible to return.

Others who didn’t practice were linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) and left tackle Trent Williams (illness).

Coach Kyle Shanahan wasn’t pointing to injuries as the reason for the loss to the Rams.

“You’ve got to be able to overcome those,” Shanahan said. “We had every chance to win on Sunday despite some of our injuries. I felt like we should have been 2-1, but we found a way to lose, and that’s on us and when you lose games you think you should have won it makes it that much harder — injuries or no injuries.”

The 49ers had one transaction Wednesday, returning defensive lineman Shakel Brown to the practice squad. Brown signed in the offseason and through training camp and the preseason before being released at the cutdown to 53.

Brown spent last season on the injured reserve list of the Tennessee Titans.

REPLACING HARGRAVE >> The 49ers’ injury issues are well documented, but the Hargrave news Monday hits harder in that there is little chance he’ll return unless the 49ers go deep into the playoffs. And even then it’s a longshot.

“I think the biggest thing is just missing ‘Grave’ around the facility,” defensive end Nick Bosa said. “We all eat breakfast together as a D-line and he’s just very positive, always laughing, smiling. Hopefully he’ll be around here rehabbing. I already missed him this morning.”

Hargrave’s absence means more work for Jordan Elliott, who played for a stout defense in Cleveland last season and was signed as a free agent. He’ll probably start alongside Maliek Collins. Kevin Givens is also available, as is Yetur Gross-Matos, who can play both end and tackle. Practice squad tackles who could be promoted are T.Y. McGill and Evan Anderson.

Although it may be a few weeks away, Kalia Davis should return following knee surgery. Davis had a strong camp and preseason before being injured.

“Just a group effort,” Bosa said. “We have a lot of depth at that position and I’m excited for the guys coming back,” Bosa said. “K.D. will be really important. Then have Jordan and Kevin step up.”

MISSING SOME SHUT-EYE >> Last season, Bosa went into detail about the need for sleep in terms of recovery and said he tried to get 10 hours or more per night — and usually had little difficulty doing so.

Back-to-back losses have Bosa dealing with some insomnia.

“It’s been tough to sleep the last couple of nights,” Bosa said. “Mind racing. I always want to get to Sunday but this time it’s major. I wish I could get it out of my head, but it’s frustrating. We’re definitely trying not to feel like that anymore.”

Linebacker Fred Warner wants to first get things ironed out at practice.

“You don’t want to just jump in there and make it three in a row,” Warner said. “You want to correct the things we need to correct. There are no big issues, just small tweaks that need to be made, and then go back on Sunday and make it right.”

AIYUK ON THE VERGE? >> On one pattern against the Rams, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk correctly identified a blown coverage and changed his pass route to fill the open area downfield. The problem? Purdy didn’t see the busted coverage and instead threw to Jauan Jennings.

While the 49ers wideout is catching heat for his meager stats through three games (11 receptions, 119 yards, no touchdowns), Shanahan agrees with metrics that suggest Aiyuk has been winning routes at his normal rate and could break loose at any time.

“We played (against) a lot of zone coverage here in the last couple weeks,” Shanahan said. “Usually when it’s zone there’s not many people around the guys, there’s just people underneath. It’s about throwing over people. And he’s done a good job in man-coverage too.”

Aiyuk didn’t disagree, but did note teams have become more familiar with the 49ers’ concepts and his connection with Purdy.

“They know what we want to do, what we like to do — me and Purdy especially,” Aiyuk said.