Sherman limited in practice as Niners prepare for offense-happy Chiefs

SANTA CLARA - Cornerback Richard Sherman casually walked onto the 49ers’ practice field Friday to join his teammates as they finished stretching, and, come Sunday, he’ll by playing against the league’s top-scoring team, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sherman did not practice Thursday because of an unspecified heel injury. It’s not believed to be directly related to his right Achilles surgery last November or this past January’s removal of bone chips in his lower left leg.

“There’s wear and tear,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday. “I’d like to give him some time off, anyways. He’s going through some stuff as he probably will all year.”

The 49ers (1-1) can ill afford being without Sherman or any other starting defensive back when they take on red-hot quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who’s thrown 10 touchdowns and no interceptions in season-opening road wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mahomes’ 10 touchdowns are the most by a quarterback through two games, and he is three shy of passing Peyton Manning’s 2013 record for a three-game touchdown output.

Sherman and right cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (ankle, hip) fully participated in Friday’s walk-through.

Safety Jaquiski Tartt was limited after missing the previous two days with a shoulder issue he aggravated in Sunday’s 30-27 home-opening win over Detroit.

Shanahan said the 49ers will always seek potential upgrades, having conducted trade talks that did not net them pass rusher Khalil Mack (Raiders-to-Bears) or wide receiver Josh Gordon (Browns-to-Patriots).

On the Mack talks, Shanahan said: “We went pretty hard. We went real hard.”

On this week’s Gordon’s trade, Shanahan said: “Josh would’ve been a great bonus for anybody, but there’s always stuff that you’ve got to give up things to get it. That stuff can hurt you and affect you in the future. Josh is a guy that I really like a lot as a person. Everyone knows how good of a player he is. He’s in a real good place. They’ll give him a good chance, and I wish him the best there.”

Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (quadriceps) figures to be a game-time decision after being limited in practice and missing last Sunday’s game.

Linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) took part in each practice this week and should make his 49ers debut Sunday, although neither he nor Shanahan has said what position or role he might play.

“I’m excited to get back out there and help the team,” Smith said. “(Hamstrings) are just tough injuries. It’s always a thing you try to take care of.”

One option is for the 49ers to shift Smith to the “Sam” strong-side linebacker role while Reuben Foster makes his season debut at weak-side linebacker next to Fred Warner at “Mike.” Smith said that definitely would be a different role and that the 49ers have enough versatile linebackers to play all spots. Smith said of Warner: “He’s a bright, smart guy and picked up on things very quickly.”

Mike Person (foot) practiced in limited fashion while fellow guard Joshua Garnett (toe) remained out for a second straight week.

Safety Eric Berry (heel) and linebacker Ben Niemann (hamstring) are doubtful for the Chiefs; running back Spencer Ware (knee) is questionable.

Lions running back LeGarrette Blount, who got ejected for coming off the sideline to push Elijah Lee, was fined $10,026 for unnecessary roughness. Facemask calls against Fred Warner, D.J. Reed, and Cassius Marsh did not result in any fine.