Ellington (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Packers, the Sacramento Bee reports.

A wait-and-see approach is in order here from a fantasy perspective, but the return of Ellington and Reggie Bush does at least give the 49ers' offense some added speed in Week 4.

Ellington (ankle) is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Packers, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Officially listed as probable, Ellington is in line to play for the first time since Week 1. However, he may only be fourth or fifth in the wideout pecking order, as Quinton Patton worked ahead of Ellington back in Week 1.

Ellington (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's contest at Arizona.

For the second week in a row, Ellington was given questionable availability but will take a seat. In his place, Quinton Patton will serve as the No. 3 wideout.

Ellington (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game in Arizona.

Ellington was also questionable for Week 2 against the Steelers, and he didn't end up playing. He was limited in practice throughout the week, but even if he suits up, he'll likely just be the No. 4 or 5 wide receiver.

Ellington (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Ellington didn't appear on the 49ers' injury report until Friday, though as a depth wideout for the team, his absence shouldn't cause much of a fantasy splash.

Ellington (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

Ellington only played three offensive snaps in Week 1, compared to 14 for Quinton Patton. It won't be at all surprising if the speedy second-year wideout eventually overtakes Patton, but the situation is only worth watching in the very deepest of leagues, as the 49ers' No. 3 wide receiver job doesn't come with many targets. If Ellington misses Sunday's game, Patton and DeAndrew White could get some extra snaps and targets.

Ellington turned in a stellar performance Thursday, racking up 86 receiving yards on three catches, including a 70-yard touchdown in the preseason win over the Chargers. He added 65 yards on four returns (one kick return, three punt returns).

Talk about a change of fortunes for the oft-injured receiver. It was just over a couple of weeks ago that Ellington was sidelined with a leg injury and was in jeopardy of not even making the team. Ellington was targeted seven times Thursday as the 49ers wanted to get a good look at one of the candidates for the slot receiver position. He came through in a big way, splitting the San Diego defense for a 70-yard catch and run in the first quarter. This performance likely sealed his fate as the team's third receiver and primary kick returner come week 1. Even if he does win the role, Ellington won't have much value outside deeper leagues and return yardage leagues.

Ellington (leg) made his preseason debut Saturday, hauling in all three of his targets for a team-high 29 yards in the loss to the Broncos. He also gained 20 yards on his only kick return attempt.

Ellington was in danger of slipping way down the depth charts due to his inability to stay on the field. Saturday's performance was just what he needed to throw his hat back into the slot receiver race. Quinton Patton has been a ghost during the preseason despite being given every opportunity to seize the third receiver role and DeAndrew White - despite his best efforts - may be too unproven to be handed such an important role. That leaves us with Ellington, who has the best quickness of the bunch, and has decent hands as well. It's tough to say until an official announcement is made, but he has a strong chance at winning the job if he can finish the preseason strong Thursday.

Ellington (leg) missed Sunday's preseason win over the Cowboys, but he will return to practice this week, CSN Bay Area reports.

It may be too little, too late in regards to Ellington winning back his role as the team's return man with the emergence of Jarryd Hayne and the addition of Reggie Bush this offseason. However, he will compete with Quinton Patton for the role as the team's slot receiver. Patton is currently the favorite, but a strong showing in the final two weeks of the preseason could put Ellington back in the mix.

Ellington (leg) has yet to return to practice and is doubtful to play Sunday against the Cowboys, CSN Bay Area reports.

Ellington continues to nurse a leg strain that has held him out of the 49ers' offseason program. The injury is poorly timed, as Ellington is currently involved in two separate position battles - slot receiver and return specialist - but is slipping in both races due to the injury. There is still no timetable for his return.

Ellington's (leg) teammate Jerome Simpson will be suspended for the first six games of the season, according to the San Jose Mercury News

Simpson could eventually earn a role later in the season, but his absence leaves Ellington and Quinton Patton as the only candidates for the No. 3 wide receiver job for the first six weeks of the season. Though he initially seemed to have the edge, Ellington may have lost ground to Patton while missing practice time with a leg injury.

Ellington suffered a leg muscle strain Monday and had to leave practice, CSN Bay Area reports.

Coach Jim Tomsula already ruled Ellington out for Tuesday's practice. Luckily, the injury isn't to the same leg that was injured coming into camp. While the injury doesn't sound serious, there is no timetable for his return. Ellington is currently competing for the slot receiver role with Quinton Patton and Jerome Simpson.

Ellington - who was dealing with a leg injury during OTAs - should be ready for training camp, CSN Bay Area reports.

Ellington's injury was never considered serious, and he will re-enter the mix for the No. 3 receiver spot for the 49ers during training camp.

Ellington has been slowed by an ankle issue during the 49ers' offseason program, csnbayarea.com reports.

At this stage, Ellington's ankle does not appear to be a long-term concern, with GM Trent Baalke noting that when the second-year wideout "is in there, you see the dimension he brings." Ellington, who caught just six passes for 62 yards in 13 games last season, is in line to compete with Jerome Simpson, Quinton Patton and DeAndre Smelter for the looks that don't go to the 49ers' top wideouts, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin.

Ellington finished the 2014 season with 62 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions as well as 28 yards and a touchdown on six carries. He added 188 yards on 23 punt returns and 614 yards on 24 kick returns.

Ellington served a Swiss Army knife role for the 49ers in his rookie campaign, getting involved in the offense in a multitude of ways. He wasn't used enough in any particular capacity to be fantasy relevant, but he may see his role increase in 2015, especially if the team opts not to re-sign Michael Crabtree.

Ellington (hamstring) is active for Sunday's game versus the Cardinals.

Ellington's two-touchdown performance in Week 16 belies the rest of his rookie year, when he previously gathered in three carries for 16 yards, five receptions (on eight targets) for 54 yards, and one score through the air. Expect him to revert to his typical, nearly anonymous role in the 49ers' offense during the season finale.

Ellington (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's game against Arizona.

Ellington was able to log limited practices all week, so he seems to have a decent chance of suiting up Sunday. With a mostly peripheral role in an unsteady offense, though, Ellington isn't a high-percentage fantasy play.

Ellington (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday, 49ers' official site reports.

Before scoring his second and third touchdowns of the year in Week 16 at San Diego, Ellington's line included five catches (on eight targets) for 54 yards and three runs for 16 yards. As a result, his presence Sunday against the Cardinals is unlikely to equate to much in the fantasy realm.

Ellington had an eight-yard touchdown reception and added three carries for 12 yards and another touchdown in Saturday's game against the Chargers before leaving with a hamstring injury.

As has been the case all season, Ellington didn't get many opportunities. However, he made the most of his limited touches, rewarding any fantasy owners out there who took a random shot in the dark and started him this week. No word yet on his status for Week 17 against the Cardinals.

Ellington (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Ellington has been targeted just eight times in nine games this season, so don't expect to hear his name much against Oakland.