Injured knee could keep Dallas’ Bryant on bench

After getting burned by No. 1 wide receivers the past two weeks, it appears the 49ers could avoid facing Dez Bryant when they host the Cowboys on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.

Dallas head coach Jason Garrett revealed that Bryant has a hairline fracture in his knee, an injury he suffered in a 31-17 win over the Bears on Sunday. Bryant missed practice Wednesday and Garrett said he’s “hopeful” that Bryant could participate in practice in some capacity Thursday.

“We don’t think it’s something that’s going to keep him out for an extended period of time,” Garrett said on a conference call with the Bay Area media, “but it’s going to a dayby-day, week-by-week situation.”

Bryant suffered the injury early in the first quarter Sunday, but missed only six plays and finished with three catches for 40 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown reception.

The 49ers won’t have starting cornerback Jimmie Ward on Sunday because of a quadriceps strain he suffered in a 37-18 loss to the Seahawks last Sunday.

In Week 2, Carolina wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin had seven catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns in a 46-27 win over the 49ers. On Sunday, Seattle’s Doug Baldwin had eight catches for a career-high 164 yards and a touchdown.

Bryant, 27, had three straight seasons (2012-14) in which he collected at least 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns before he missed seven games last season with a broken foot. Limited snaps: The shoulder injury defensive tackle Arik Armstead suffered in training camp continues to bother him and explains why he played just 28 of 68 snaps against the Seahawks.

Armstead, who didn’t play in the preseason, reiterated that his shoulder issue could require offseason surgery. The No. 17 pick in 2015, Armstead has played just 49 percent (104 of 212) of the defensive snaps this season. He has four tackles and one sack.

Armstead said his shoulder injury is why he missed a few series in Seattle.

“It’s an injury,” he said, “so if I aggravate it, it can be a problem.”

Head coach Chip Kelly downplayed the fact that Armstead played 28 snaps Sunday.

“I think he missed two or three series just because he had something, but he came back in and said he was fine,” Kelly said. “So, I mean, there’s no issue.”

Armstead has been a full participant in practice since a Week 2 loss in Carolina. Injury report: Tight end Vance McDonald (hip) didn’t practice for a second straight day. Kelly said he doesn’t believe his injury is a “long-term” issue. Tight end Garrett Celek (back) was limited in practice and remained in a noncontact jersey.

“I can’t predict whether they’ll be available to play on Sunday,” Kelly said, “but we’ll see how that goes.”

The 49ers’ other tight end is Blake Bell. Je’Ron Hamm is on the practice squad.