SANTA CLARA -- Defensive end Ray McDonald remained sidelined Thursday at 49ers practice with a left hamstring strain."Hopefully, I'll be able to play," said McDonald, who ranks fourth on the 49ers with 39 tackles. He also has three sacks and ranks behind only defensive end Justin Smith on the team with 21 quarterback hits and 34 pressures.McDonald's status for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins remains uncertain. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio described McDonald's status as "day to day." If McDonald is unable to play, third-year player Ricky Jean Francois will likely start at left defensive end.McDonald was rehabbing on a side field Thursday under the close supervision of head strength and conditioning coach Mark Uyeyama and director of sports medicine Jeff Ferguson. He sustained a hamstring strain in the second quarter four days ago against the Cleveland Browns and did not return to action.Justin Smith, who was given a rest day on Wednesday, returned to practice Thursday.
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