Kyle Shanahan is back in the flow, and the 49ers are starting to look like a team with some real pieces falling into place as the preseason winds down.
On Saturday in Santa Clara, Shanahan was calling plays for the offense during full-team periods for the first time since his July 14 car accident, when he suffered a concussion, broken ribs and needed stitches to repair his face. He also no longer had the wrap on his left hand. Klay Kubiak had handled play-calling duties through the preseason, so Shanahan taking that job back is a strong sign he’s nearing a full return after being limited when camp opened.
The 49ers had their first practice since beating the Chargers in the preseason, and the clock is ticking. Their trip to Australia is less than two weeks away, with the season opener against the Rams set for Sept.
- Before that comes Thursday’s preseason finale against the Raiders in Las Vegas, plus a handful of practices at home.
Saturday’s workout, though, came with a mix of returns and absences.
Receiver Mike Evans was back after leaving Tuesday’s joint practice against the Chargers early, where he reportedly iced his ankle and quadriceps. He made a down-field grab from Brock Purdy early in team drills and later caught a short touchdown in red-zone work. Demarcus Robinson also returned to practice.
The offense also got right guard Dominick Puni and defensive tackle CJ West back after both had concussions in recent practices. In the backfield, second-year runner Jordan James returned as well, pushing himself back into the battle to back up Christian McCaffrey alongside rookie Kaelon Black, who made his preseason debut Tuesday. Without McCaffrey, the running game looked substantially better with Black and James involved.
There were also some notable players still out. Rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who has 11 catches for 109 yards through his first two preseason games, did not participate because of a shoulder issue.
Starting cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir, dealing with a shoulder problem, and Renardo Green, who is working through a hamstring issue, were also absent. Offensive lineman Austen Pleasants missed practice after a leg injury in Thursday’s game.
He has been the latest name in the left guard competition, and for now rookie fourth-round pick Carver Willis looks like the top option to start there.
George Kittle still hasn’t returned to practice, either. There had been some expectation he might be back Saturday, even in a limited role, as he works toward playing against the Rams after tearing his Achilles in January.
Instead, he stuck to his usual conditioning work before later joining teammates and coaches. Kittle has said he’ll need some practice time before deciding whether he can play, and that call will likely have to come before the team heads to Australia.
With the flight lasting about 36 hours, it doesn’t make much sense for him to travel if he won’t be ready for Week 1. The 49ers practice Sunday and Tuesday before the Raiders game, then will likely have only a few more workouts after that before departure.
There was no Christian McCaffrey on the field despite signs he might return after dealing with “tightness” early in camp. And Nick Bosa was absent again as he continues working back from last September’s ACL tear after being shut down following the first week of training camp.
In Bosa’s place, Keion White was back at practice after returning Tuesday, and he recorded a would-be sack of Mac Jones on one of the first snaps of team periods.
Tight end remains a spot worth watching if Kittle needs more time. Jake Tonges, who scored five touchdowns last year, caught three straight passes from Purdy during a full-team period, including a long touchdown. Tonges and Luke Farrell have both been strong throughout camp, giving the 49ers some cover if Kittle isn’t ready.
There’s also the Deebo Samuel factor. Reporters can’t get into the specifics of what they saw with plays and formations, but the expectation is that Samuel could be used much like he was in his first run with the 49ers. He remains a unique weapon and looks set for a major role.
On defense, rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger drew plenty of attention from coordinator Raheem Morris. Dugger, who played safety at Georgetown before transferring to Louisiana and moving to linebacker, has been working at all three linebacker spots during camp.
Morris said, “It’s always in the making,” when asked about Dugger’s role in Week 1. “You hope the best players are going to be out there.
And that’s what you got to do, you got to find ways for people to help the football team, and he’s finding his role. He’s finding his niche.”
With the Rams leaning heavily on three-tight-end looks last season, Dugger could be asked to play a meaningful role right away. Morris clearly believes the rookie is capable of handling it.
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But the age on that group also changes the conversation in a hurry. With so many of San Franciscos best players already on the other side of 30, the urgency is obvious, because championship windows do not stay open forever and the 49ers know the margin for error is shrinking. The talent is still there, but the pressure to turn it into a title feels more immediate now than it did even a year ago. [Read more 🡒]