The 49ers’ Day 8 practice in full pads had a little bit of everything: Brock Purdy flashing big-play precision, young defensive linemen turning heads in the trenches, and Raheem Morris continuing to tinker with a secondary that’s being asked to do a lot of different things.
Purdy was at the center of the day’s best offensive moment. On a deep crossing route in 11-on-11 work, he dropped a tight spiral into the hands of newly signed wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge for a 60-yard touchdown, delivered in stride. It was the kind of throw that showed both accuracy and command, and it drew praise from Morris after practice.
"The Layer King has some really intensive intensity," Morris noted with a smile. "Today he got fired up, which was cool."
Morris also pointed to Purdy’s pre-snap communication and calm as key reasons the offense kept moving with pace.
The session came with the usual camp clutter on the injury front. San Francisco was again working without a long list of players, including Nick Bosa (soreness), Kyle Juszczyk (finger fracture), Jacob Cowing (hip flexor), Mike Evans (quad strain), Carver Willis (concussion), Brett Toth (concussion), Jordan James (rib fracture), Kaelon Black (adductor), and Nick Zakelj (elbow).
The team also made a roster move, signing offensive lineman Kion Smith to a one-year deal and waiving wide receiver Colton Dowell.
There were a few encouraging signs, too. Dre Greenlaw, who is dealing with soreness, returned in pads for individual drills before sitting out team periods.
Osa Odighizuwa, also managing soreness, got back into team reps and repeatedly collapsed the interior pocket in a way that would have been a sack in live action. De’Zhaun Stribling showed no lingering stiffness and was running at full speed during team work.
On the defensive side, the day belonged to a couple of younger names. Gracen Halton put together his most explosive practice yet, winning one-on-one pass-rush reps against Robert Jones, Connor Colby, and Jake Brendel. His first-step burst is putting him in position for a third-down interior rush role.
Upton Stout kept adding to an impressive camp as well, breaking up a pass to Jordan Watkins during 1-on-1 drills. Jack Jones had the most eye-catching defensive play of the day, leaping along the left sideline to intercept Mac Jones on a deep throw meant for Watkins.
Morris said the secondary movement is intentional, not random. Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green are being cross-trained at multiple spots, while rookie Upton Stout is being pushed to learn every position in the defensive backfield.
He also laid out a new wrinkle in the scheme: the "fever backer" role, a hybrid spot built for versatile defenders. Jayden Dugger worked with the first team there on Thursday, and Romello Height and Nick Martin are still in the mix.
Up front on offense, the competition at guard is still open. Chris Jones took first-team snaps at left guard, while Connor Colby split time between the second and third units with Austen Pleasants.
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