Nick's Notes #8

- Once again, coach Kyle Shanahan was on the field for almost all of practice and keeps getting more involved each day. As QB Mac Jones noted after the session, Shanahan is "inching closer" to his usual spot on the field. That's an indication he's also inching closer to being back to full duty. - The Niners had their Dwight Clark celebration Thursday. That's usually reserved for August 7 in honor of Clark's jersey number but with only a walk through tomorrow, they had it today. Former Niners TE Brent Jones was in attendance and spoke to guests about Clark's legacy. - On the injury front, the only new addition to the list from yesterday was OL Nick Zakelj, who injured his elbow in practice Wednesday. The full list of those missing practice today: Zakelj, DE Nick Bosa (soreness), OL Carver Willis (concussion), WR Jacob Cowing (hip flexor strain), FB Kyle Juszczyk (broken finger), OL Brett Toth (concussion), WR Christian Kirk (calf), WR Mike Evans (quad), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), RB Kaelon Black (adductor), RB Jordan James (rib), DL Keion White (adductor), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle) Players on PUP: TE George Kittle (achilles), RB Isaac Guerendo (pec), DL Mykel Williams (ACL) - LB Dre Greenlaw (soreness), WR De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring) and DT Osa Odighizuwa (soreness) were in pads and easing back in today. They did some individual but not much in team periods (Osa did a little it seemed). Saw Stribling doing some running at or near full speed during team drills. Greenlaw was again watching from behind the defense during team. - DE Sam Okuayinonu was back and participating after he was shaken up late in practice yesterday. - Many of the Niners on the injured list were doing full workouts and conditioning on the side. Evans was doing some running and Guerendo continues to look like he's close to a return from PUP. - One roster move given the injuries on the interior OL: The Niners signed OL Kion Smith and waived WR Colton Dowell. - Rookie DT Gracen Halton continues to make a strong first impression. The guy has a lot of juice with a quick first step and short-area burst paired with some powerful hands that seem to catch OL off guard. He had impressive 1v1 wins against Robert Jones, Connor Colby and Jake Brendel. And then made some plays in team periods also. Halton also isn't afraid to express his passion, often letting out a yell after making a play or winning a 1v1 rep. Fresh legs help but this is also what he flashed at Oklahoma. It's early and he needs to do it against someone else but it's not hard to envision a role for him on third downs early as a rookie. - Other notes from 1 on 1s today: RT Colton McKivitz just continues to be rock solid in his spot. Did well against Romello Height on a pair of matchups... Same for Dom Puni, who Chris Foerster clearly thinks has the makings of a guy ready to take another step forward in year 3... Austen Pleasants had a good rep against Okuayinonu when Okuayinonu seemed to have him beat with a spin but Pleasants recovered and walled him off... CJ West showed off his powerful hands and ability to re-direct them in a good rep against Colby... Rookie Enrique Cruz Jr. has had some rough reps in these, including one against Igbo Okoronkwo today. After, Foerster spent some time with Cruz giving him some pointers... Still intrigued to see undrafted DT James Thompson Jr. against another team. There's some tools to develop there in the rookie out of Illinois. - For the second day in a row, the story of team drills was QB Brock Purdy and the top offense. They had the rough outing earlier in the week and have responded with a pair of excellent practices. Purdy was 13-of-14 on Wednesday and 11-of-14 today. That included three of his best throws of camp: deep balls perfectly placed for likely TDs to WRs KhaDarel Hodge and Malik Turner and then a crosser to WR Deebo Samuel who had Deommodore Lenoir in excellent position in coverage but the ball was in the one small window where Samuel could get it. The first play of team was a rope to Demarcus Robinson for a big gain, too. Credit to Purdy and Co. for the bounce back. I asked DC Raheem Morris what he's observed about Purdy being up close with him for more than a week now. His answer: "The Layer King has some really intensive intensity and I like that about him," Morris said. "Today he got fired up, which was cool, which was fun, which is competitive. And I love that. And when he does those things, it just makes the team go." - CB Jack Jones finds a way to make a play in practice nearly every day and did so again today. He jumped in front of a crosser from Mac Jones for Jordan Watkins for an interception. It wasn't an easy one, either, as Jones tapped it to himself with his right hand then hauled it in. - Another day with the 1s at LG for Robert Jones, who is going to get a good look there it seems. Connor Colby ran with the 2s and 3s again, including on the right side. And Pleasants got some more work at guard, too. My early read: The Niners are going to have to keep looking for the best option for LG. Not sure that person is on the roster, though the concussion for Carver Willis is unfortunate because he might have been able to force his way into the conversation. - WR Demarcus Robinson continues to quietly have a nice camp. Said it before but a dependable wideout who has the versatility to play any position usually finds his way on to the roster. - Some pressures/potential would-be sacks today in team from Height, Okuayinonu, Odighizuwa. Run stuffs from Halton, West, Height, Thompson and Jaden Dugger, among others. - S Ji'Ayir Brown forced a fumble by TE Luke Farrell after a completion from Purdy with CB Renardo Green scooping it up and returning it. LB Luke Gifford nearly intercepted Jones on a throw for Deebo. Lenoir was in tight coverage to force one of Purdy's incompletions and Purdy's final pass of team for Farrell was a bit long though it seemed Farrell got his hands on it and had a chance to make the play. - Dugger got some work with the top defense today as the Niners continue to find ways to deploy him. Morris explained the "fever backer" position in his defense and what he wants and it sounds like something a guy with Dugger's versatility could fit. That's also true for Height and Nick Martin. As preseason goes on, that should clarify a bit how often the position is used and who they envision handling it the most. - Haven't seen or heard much from Nate Hobbs in this camp. He's been out there but hasn't been super involved in team of late. Perhaps still working his way back to football shape but others asserting themselves in the DB competition in the meantime. - Rookie CB Ephesians Prysock is stringing some good practices together. Looking forward to seeing him against another team. Sounds like Morris is, too. - Niners have walkthrough tomorrow and then a full practice Saturday before a Sunday off. Soon enough, we'll be to next week and joint practices with the Titans.  

Nick's Notes #7

Notes and observations from 49ers practice No. 7: - By the end of Wednesday's practice, the Niners had 20 players (including the 3 on PUP) not participating because of injury. In 2024, they had 23 not practicing when they canceled joint practices with the Saints. Chris Foerster says that's not something that's come up to him with the Titans for next week, though it could have been discussed elsewhere in the building. Don't think the Niners are super concerned that the injuries they have (aside from Pearsall) are long term but they still need to have enough healthy bodies to handle the rigors of joint practices. - The full list of those missing practice today: New additions: DE Nick Bosa (soreness), LB Dre Greenlaw (soreness), DT Osa Odighizuwa (soreness), OL Carver Willis (concussion), WR Jacob Cowing (hip flexor strain), FB Kyle Juszczyk (broken finger), OL Brett Toth (undisclosed). Shaken up in practice: OL Nick Zakelj, DE Sam Okuayinonu Previously disclosed: WR Christian Kirk (calf), WR Mike Evans (quad), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), WR De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring), RB Kaelon Black (adductor), RB Jordan James (rib), DL Keion White (adductor), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle) PUP: TE George Kittle (achilles), RB Isaac Guerendo (pec), DL Mykel Williams (ACL) - For the record, many of these guys, including Evans and Kirk did some work on the side, including some full speed running. Guerendo and Mustapha, in particular seem to be close to back. Greenlaw also seemed to be fine as he got a bit of a rest today with soreness. He watched practice from the defensive back field. - Coach Kyle Shanahan continues to be out around his normal time (10:47 today for those keeping score) and handling more and more. Not quite fully back but still seems to be trending the right way. - The Niners released DT Kevin Givens and DL Cam Sample and signed DL Ogbo Okoronkwo and WR KhaDarel Hodge. - Niners had enough OL and DL to do some one-on-ones today... Halton's fresh legs showed up here a few times, including a really strong rush against Zakelj and a solid one against Robert Jones. His quickness and burst is evident. Just a matter of staying healthy and getting much needed reps... Okoronkwo also has some fresh legs and had a nice power rush against Enrique Cruz Jr., who has struggled in this drill... Good day for Sebastian Valdez both in one on ones and in team. He gave Connor Colby some problems here then had success in team... Austen Pleasants took a rep or two at right guard here which is unusual. Foerster indicated he wanted to move a handful of OL around in these drills but the injuries messed up those plans. Presumably, Pleasants got to move because of that... CJ West showed his power a few times, including against Jones and Zakelj, though Jake Brendel had a good rep against him... Romello Height is made for this drill in some ways. His first step and bend impresses nearly every time. Will need to expand his bag (and maybe it's already there) a bit but the tools to be effective in obvious passing situations seem apparent. He had a good rep against Colton McKivitz who has otherwise been stout in these. - Speaking of the offensive line, Jones got his first crack at running at left guard with the 1s today with Colby getting reps with the 2s and 3s. Foerster said he hoped to get Colby some work on the right side and had all kinds of plans to move the pieces around a bit but injuries to Toth and Willis scuttled that. Not sure this means a big change in the plans but worth noting and following. - DT Alfred Collins got his first extended work in team periods after returning from PUP last week. Haven't seen Collins in 1v1 yet but a step forward for him, especially with Odighizuwa not participating today. - With Greenlaw watching, Garret Wallow got a look at the weak side linebacker spot. Also, Nick Martin was supposedly shaken up last open practice but he was on the field today seemingly no worse for the wear. - A really good practice for QB Brock Purdy despite musical pass catchers. Had him at 13-of-14 (he had another one broken up by Lenoir but looked like a would-be sack first) on the day and the one incompletion could have been a flag as LB Garret Wallow either perfectly timed or was a bit early on a throw to RB Christian McCaffrey. Some highlights from Purdy: Escaped pressure from Height, rolled to his right, got a good block from TE Luke Farrell and dropped one in the bucket to McCaffrey over the middle for a big gain... In a three-play red zone sequence, he threw a TD to Patrick Taylor Jr. on a ball that was perfectly placed low and to the left where only Taylor could get it as Ji'Ayir Brown closed in from the other side then ran for a score on a designed run and finished by rolling out and finding Junior Bergen for a touchdown. He capped practice finding WR Jordan Watkins deep down the left side for another score in move the ball. - Farrell hasn't proved much of an option in the pass game since his arrival but he was very involved on Wednesday. Had him down for five catches, all from Purdy, including three in the move the ball period to set up Watkins' TD. Jake Tonges has been more involved, too, and with all the injuries at WR, it's clear Purdy has a level of comfort with the TEs that can pay dividends. - Watkins is putting together a nice camp and Purdy has faith in him but he also has had some go through his hands that he probably should have had. A good opportunity right now for him to carve out a role given all the other injuries. The good outweighs the bad, just needs a bit more consistency. - Foerster said McCaffrey and LT Trent Williams are on a rep count in this camp, as you'd expect. But he also tipped his hat to them for being at practice every day and setting a tone for the young players. Both were their usual, productive selves on Wednesday. - Best defensive play of the day came when CB Jack Jones jumped in front of a pass from Martinez to deflect it into the waiting arms of LB Jaden Dugger. Dugger caught it and returned it for a would-be pick-6. - Among the other defensive highlights from team drills: Okuayinonu got some pressure and a would-be sack but if it wasn't, Lenoir had yet another PBU. Darrell Luter Jr. had a nice pass breakup on a throw to the end zone for Demarcus Robinson from Martinez. West burst through for a run stuff on the first play of team. LB Fred Warner snuffed out a run for McCaffrey early in that period, also. Halton stuffed Khalil Herbert with a quick move in the first period for the 3s. A nice PBU on a throw for TE Brayden Willis, was hard to tell but I *think* it was Siran Neal who knocked it away. LB Jalen Graham also had a nice read and run stuff against Sincere McCormick. CB Ephesians Prysock with sticky coverage to deny a deep ball from Kurtis Rourke for Wesley Grimes. - The Niners are back at it tomorrow after AC/DC plays Levi's tonight. In the year 2026, I wouldn't think they still move the needle enough to have concerts at a place as big as Levi's but here they are. Can only respect it for a group that's been doing it for more than five decades. Shoutout to them.  

Getting An Edge

Veteran EDGE Ogbo Okoronkwo is signing with the 49ers today, per Fowler. A 2019 fifth-round pick, he has 17 sacks in his 81-game career (13 starts). Played one game and suffered a torn triceps last season with the Eagles.

81 Career Games 17.0 Sacks 132 Tackles 31 Tackles for Loss 38 QB Hits 4 Forced Fumbles

3T Expectations

 Osa Odighizuwa has generated 32 pressures when double teamed since the start of 2024, 2nd most in the NFL.

Odighizuwa's 9.1% pressure rate on those pass rushes is 3rd highest in that span (min. 200 double teams).

Nick's Notes

Notes and observations from Niners practice No. 6: - A long session for the Niners coming off a walk through on Sunday. They'll get a full day off tomorrow and begin another practice block on Wednesday. - Coach Kyle Shanahan continues to look like he's making progress in his recovery from injuries suffered in a car crash. Shanahan came out to the field at 10:39 today and was again out there for the rest of the session after. He stood in mid-center field for some of it and moved around a bit from there. He also took part in the breakdown at the end before passing it to another successful head coach... - Mike Brown, the NBA champion Knicks' coach, was in attendance and got to break down the huddle at the end. Brown's son, Cameron, is the team's defensive quality control coach. - Alex Smith, the former Niners QB and current ESPN analyst, was also in the house today. - New additions on the injury front: WR Mike Evans (quad strain) and RB Kaelon Black (adductor). They did not participate. WR De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring tightness) also did not practice again. Saw Evans and Stribling doing some running and work on the side. Both seem to be moving OK. - Also doing work on the side today: WR Christian Kirk (calf) and DT Gracen Halton (knee bone bruise). Also saw CB Jack Jones doing some work on the side though he was in uniform and doing some regular practice things as well. - The other non participants today: S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), RB Jordan James (rib), DL Keion White (adductor), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle), DL Cam Sample (knee). - DT CJ West and EDGE Romello Height (elbow) were back at practice. - DL Mykel Williams and RB Isaac Guerendo continue to get plenty done on the side as well as they work back from PUP list. - Spotted during individual drills: LB Jaden Dugger doing some work with the defensive line group. The Niners liked Dugger's versatility coming out and seem to want to explore all the ways that can be used, though it doesn't hurt that they're short on bodies at that spot right now because of injuries. - With numbers down on the DL, there were no one-on-one pass rush drills today. The Niners did a lot more mixing and matching all over on Monday in general. - The offense and QB Brock Purdy bounced back a bit today despite all the moving parts at wide receiver. Had him at 14-of-21 though there wasn't a lot going down the field. Purdy just missed TE Jake Tonges on a deep ball late in practice and S Ji'Ayir Brown broke up a would-be TD in the red zone for Tonges on a well thrown ball. A nice play by Brown, though. - Speaking of Brown, he had some interesting things to say after practice. He talked openly about how much fun he's having and how Raheem Morris' scheme allows him to play to his strengths (instincts and reading the QB) more than previous one. He has been around the ball a lot in this camp and got his hands on the ball multiple times. A big season for him going into a contract year. - Both corners -- Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green -- were again sticky in coverage today. Even when completions were made, they were right there and both had a PBU or two. - Receiver and edge rusher aren't the only spots hit by injuries. For a team hoping to get RB Christian McCaffrey more breathers, it's not great that the three guys behind him on the depth chart -- James, Black, Guerendo -- aren't on the field. A lot of work for Patrick Taylor and Sincere McCormick right now. - Height flashed his bend and speed off the edge during team. There's little doubt he has some pass rushing chops. I just don't imagine the Niners want him to be a hand in the ground edge in four-down looks that much so much as sprinkling him in there in obvious passing situations and deploying him as the fifth guy when they go five down. Still plenty of time for that to sort, though. - Junior Bergen was drafted to be a returner and landed on the practice squad last year in part because he struggled as a receiver. It looks like he's made some strides in that regard so far in camp. Not saying he'd be in the WR rotation or anything, just noting apparent improvement which would help his cause if can handle return duties. - LB Nick Martin continues to flash his speed too. It seems like for him it's just a matter of harnessing that speed and making the right reads so he doesn't overrun plays. That was something that plagued Dee Winters at times but Martin seems to be finding a groove on when to step on the gas and when to let it come to him a bit more. - The 49ers are off tomorrow. They'll be back at it on Wednesday with back to back practices then before a walk through on Friday. 

Nick's Notes Day 5

- Second day in pads and though there were some good things from the defense, this practice was mostly about how out of sync the offense looked. Missed throws, dropped balls, fumbled snaps, it was overall pretty ugly. 

- Coach Kyle Shanahan had his longest stint on the practice field and even spent part of the final periods in team drills behind the offense, giving feedback in real time rather than standing next to GM John Lynch. A good sign for his progress in addition to running a team meeting this morning. Perhaps not a coincidence he wanted to be back involved as the offense struggled through this one. - The injuries to the roster are accumulating again. Rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring tightness) and edge Romello Height (elbow) and DL Cam Sample (knee) did not practice today. They joined WR Christian Kirk (calf), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), RB Jordan James (rib), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle) DT Gracen Halton (knee bone bruise) and DT C.J. West as those not participating. - During practice, DL Keion White (adductor) and DL Mikail Kamara (knee) suffered injuries and didn't finish the session. Kamara was taken off on a cart. RB Kaelon Black also appeared to be shaken up, as he participated in early portion of team drills but then didn't take any more reps in the back half of practice or so. - RB Isaac Guerendo, DL Mykel Williams, West and Halton were all doing at least some form of work on the side during practice. Guerendo, in particular, seems to be healing well. - WR Deebo Samuel's first practice back included plenty of work in individual and then limited to about 10 reps in team drills. Samuel looked like he had fresh legs and the Niners got him the ball about four times, including on one connection with QB Brock Purdy over the middle for a big catch and run. It was one of the few highlights of the day for the offense with Deebo drawing loud cheers from the fans each time he touched the ball. - Some notes from one-on-one pass rush drills today: G Dominick Puni has looked excellent so far. The Niners are limiting his reps, perhaps wisely so, but when he steps in, he's been stout. He had a good rep against Osa Odighizuwa and another even better one later against Sebastian Valdez. Worth noting Odighizuwa got Puni back later in team drills for a would-be sack... OT Trent Williams is fine after whatever shot he took in yesterday's practice. He took his one rep today, shutting down Sam Okuayinonu and then resumed side work with DE Nick Bosa... The Niners might have a couple of young DTs worth developing in Bryson Eason and James Thompson Jr. Both had some good reps today and this is the second straight day Thompson has flashed. He has powerful hands and can really deliver a blow. He gave Brett Toth, Carver Willis and Nick Zakelj problems on reps today... Okuayinonu had a nice rush against Enrique Cruz, putting him on skates and moving him into the QB's lap... Think this drill is where White felt the tightness in his adductor. He came up a bit gimpy after a rush against Isaac Alarcon. - On to the offense in team drills. For whatever reason, they just could not seem to find a rhythm this whole practice. They weren't far off but in one sequence QB Brock Purdy overthrew an open Kyle Juszczyk on a deep ball and two plays later did the same to the opposite side for RB Christian McCaffrey. In the next set of reps for the 1s, he was a bit long for Mike Evans (hit his fingertips) and then was too high for Jordan Watkins before hitting Deebo in stride. Again, this is practice and the whole point is to get timing down but it was just one of those days. - The offensive issues weren't limited to Purdy, either. Mac Jones had his share of misfires and there were some drops in there. At one point, there was a botched snap involving Jones too. - The top offense did find the end zone during move the ball drill to end the practice as Purdy found TE Luke Farrell on a deep out that Farrell turned into a touchdown. - On the other side of the coin, there was some good defense being played, too. CB Deommodore Lenoir got his hands on a couple of passes for breakups as did Renardo Green, Jack Jones and Upton Stout. And there was some pressure with Odighizuwa and Okuayinonu showing up the most. It was a challenging day for the defensive line because of all the injuries but those who were able to go battled through and had some production. - Not watching as closely as last year because there's not really a competition there but K Eddy Piñeiro looks to be in midseason form. He hit all of his field goal attempts during special teams, including one that was easily good from 55 yards out. - Speaking of special teams, expect Deebo Samuel to be heavily involved as a kick returner. It's something he's committed to, according to GM John Lynch. Which means he won't just be doing it here and there. It will be part of his overall role. As for how he fits in the offense, that sounds like it will be determined as time goes on. - One note I forgot to mention yesterday (I think): Chris Foerster said the team intends to work Enrique Cruz Jr. at guard at some point. Hadn't heard that yet but interesting given how Cruz profiles from a size and athleticism standpoint. Carver Willis, likewise, is viewed as a guard and center. He's taken reps at both spots in the past couple of practices.  

- That'll do it for today. 49ers are having a walk through that isn't open tomorrow then back to it with a "high" practice on Monday. 

Spotlight Kid

 The 49ers have placed Ricky Pearsall on season-ending IR and he will have surgery on his PCL, per John Lynch.