SANTA CLARA – Receiver Torrey Smith and outside linebacker Aaron Lynch returned to limited practice on Thursday but remain questionable for the 49ers’ game Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Smith did not practice on Wednesday after sustaining the injury in the second half of the 49ers’ 23-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Lynch has been inactive for the past two games with a high ankle sprain sustained in the Oct. 23 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Lynch was seen testing his ankle with resistance provided by 49ers staff member Andre Carter, a former NFL defensive lineman, before practice on Thursday. Lynch appears to still be favoring his ankle.

49ers participation report

Limited

DT Quinton Dial (knee, neck)

DT Glenn Dorsey (knee)

LB Eli Harold (toe)

LB Aaron Lynch (ankle)

CB Rashard Robinson (knee)

WR Torrey Smith (shoulder)

Full participation

G Zane Beadles (ankle, knee)

CB Tramaine Brock (hamstring)

RB Carlos Hyde (shoulder)

C Daniel Kilgore (hamstring/calf)

S Eric Reid (knee)