The 49ers’ 15th day of training camp brought a little of everything in Santa Clara: a running back flashing fresh legs, a receiver making noise in the red zone, and a handful of injuries that changed the look of practice.
De’Zhaun Stribling was out with a shoulder injury, and several other key names were also sidelined. Deommodore Lenoir missed practice with a shoulder injury, Jarrett Kingston sat with a hamstring issue, and Renardo Green was still recovering from a torn pec. Stribling, meanwhile, showed up and watched with the other wide receivers, which suggested the injury may not be serious.
One of the brighter developments came from Jeff Wilson Jr., who practiced for the first time since Fred Warner broke his rib on Day 1 of camp. Wilson looked sharp and even scored on a 10-yard run.
The break seemed to suit him; he hasn’t played in weeks, and he appears set to make the team. He may not have a major role early in the season, but he’s on track to be the third running back behind Christian McCaffrey and Kaelon Black.
Black continued to look like the lead back with McCaffrey sidelined by “tightness.” He’s in peak shape, decisive through the hole and, according to the day’s report, the fastest running back on the team if Isaac Guerendo is left out of the discussion. The 49ers would appear to be in decent shape at the position if McCaffrey’s absence stretches on.
Ricky Pearsall returned after missing the second half of the joint practice against the Chargers with a quad injury, and he kept finding ways to get involved. He’s tough to miss when he runs, though maybe that’s just his style.
What matters is that he keeps making catches, and he remains a force in the red zone. Jack Jones had to trip him in the end zone to stop what would have been Pearsall’s second touchdown catch of the day.
Jordan Watkins also kept building momentum. He moved ahead of Deebo Samuel on the depth chart to take Stribling’s spot in the starting lineup, and he made the most of the opportunity.
Watkins dropped a pass that hit him in the chest, but he also hauled in a throw that slipped through Ji’Ayir Brown’s hands. If he keeps catching the ball cleanly, he can become a starting wideout.
Samuel, for his part, made some plays with the second- and third-stringers, but he didn’t catch anything while working with the starters. He also ran a couple times for minimal gains.
The 49ers no longer need him at running back with Black and Wilson in the mix, and they no longer need him at wide receiver with Pearsall, Stribling and Watkins pushing for roles. They also have Jacob Cowing making a case as a punt returner.
Even so, the 49ers will still find ways to use Samuel.
Cowing continued to flash, catching two 25-yard passes near the sideline. His confidence seems to be climbing, though staying healthy remains the next hurdle.
The day’s standout on offense was Jake Tonges. He beat Jaden Dugger up the seam for a 20-yard gain, then got behind Dre Greenlaw on a wheel route for a 70-yard touchdown, and later shook Marques Sigle on an over route for another 20-yard gain.
Tonges looked like a real problem for linebackers and plenty of safeties, especially the ones on the 49ers. He should catch at least 40 passes this season.
On the line, undrafted rookie Jordan Jefferson drew plenty of attention at 6-6 and 310 pounds. He was described as the player the 49ers wanted Alfred Collins to be.
Jefferson held up against double-teams, anchored in the run game and showed an ability to push the pocket and make plays in the backfield. He looks like a player who should make the team, and possibly a future starter.
Not everyone had a good day. Mike Evans returned to practice after missing the second half of the joint session with the Chargers because of a quad injury, but he still looked bothered while running.
Even so, he kept making catches and was especially dangerous in the red zone, where Jack Jones had to trip him to prevent a second touchdown. Jones also had a rough time overall, getting beat repeatedly by Evans.
If Jones starts Week 1, the report predicted he could be benched by halftime.
Dallis Flowers started at corner in place of Renardo Green and immediately allowed a 15-yard catch to Evans. Ji’Ayir Brown also had a rough moment, letting a possible interception go through his hands and into Watkins’ grasp for a 30-yard gain. Brown is entering his fourth season, and the note on him was blunt: he’s still not good.
The defense as a whole didn’t inspire much confidence. Drake Jackson plays only with the starters and still isn’t making an impact as a pass rusher, and Alfred Collins was pushed out of his gap repeatedly by double teams in the run game. The report was especially harsh on Collins, calling him a rare big defensive tackle who struggles against the run and creates no push inside.
The new-look defense under Robert Saleh also drew criticism for not doing anything well yet. The piece pointed to the constant shifting fronts - five-man and four-man looks with both base and nickel personnel - as evidence that Saleh is still searching for answers.
Brock Purdy had an uneven day. He made some plays, but he also threw one directly to Ji’Ayir Brown and sailed four passes over his targets.
When Purdy misses, the misses tend to go high. Jones had a rougher day in the throwing department too, getting picked off by Eli Apple after a quick slant to Evans, who came out of his break late.
The injury list closed with another tough note: the player recovering from the torn pec is still working back, and the sense from practice was that he may spend the entire season on injured reserve and has probably played his last snap with the 49ers.
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