Nick's Notes: Practice 16

- It was hard not to notice a little extra pep in Niners' practice today, likely due in no small part to the return of TE George Kittle (Achilles) and RB Christian McCaffrey (tightness). The Niners eased both back in, with Kittle only doing individual drills and McCaffrey taking about seven reps in team drills, including a handful of carries. A positive step for both in the mission to be ready or very close to it in Week 1. - I asked McCaffrey about his absence and how he approached it. He indicated it was all part of the plan despite outside concern: "Obviously when you don't practice, the way the media works now it's a firestorm," McCaffrey said. "But this was kind of part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we're fresh for the duration. Our staff's done a great job of coming up with specific plans. And again, I feel great. I feel fresh, and it's good to be back out there." - WR De'Zhaun Stribling and CB Deommodore Lenoir were both back in practice after missing Saturday with a shoulder issue. Lenoir (blue) and Stribling (black) were in no-contact jerseys. - The only new name on the non-participant list was rookie DE Romello Height. He was seen Saturday moving slowly after practice, but it's unclear what he is dealing with at the moment. - The full list of non participants on Sunday: Height, LB Nick Martin (hamstring), CB Renardo Green (hamstring), OL Austen Pleasants (knee), LB Jalen Graham, WR Wesley Grimes (hand), RB Zamir White (illness), DT Gracen Halton (ankle), LB Luke Gifford (hamstring), DE Nick Bosa (soreness/tendinitis), FB Kyle Juszczyk (broken finger), OL Brett Toth (concussion), QB Kurtis Rourke (undisclosed/ribs), WR Christian Kirk (calf), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), OT Vederian Lowe (ankle), CB Nate Hobbs (groin), G Robert Jones (calf) Players on PUP: RB Isaac Guerendo (pec), DL Mykel Williams (ACL) - WR Mike Evans again took part in much of the practice but didn't go all the way through it. He stopped toward the end after running a deep route on a play that went to TE Jake Tonges. He seemed to be moving fine but clear he and Niners want to be cautious to get him to the regular season ready to go. - The best part of the practice? The back and forth between QB Brock Purdy and LB Fred Warner. They've had their fun in this camp going at each other but it kicked into another gear today. During practice, Purdy layered one over Warner to Evans for a big gain. Later, Warner broke up a Purdy pass intended for Demarcus Robinson then boisterously let the QB hear about it. Warner also delivered a big thud to rookie RB Kaelon Black to force an incompletion (or a fumble depending on how you saw it) that again had Warner crowing. Purdy then dropped back and ripped one down the middle to a streaking Deebo Samuel just out of the diving, outstretched arms of Warner. Purdy let out a yell that won't be repeated here but suffice to say it was message received by Warner. Moments later, Warner and Purdy were laughing and chatting behind the huddle. The chess match between the two has been a constant in this camp. - Another constant in this camp? Purdy's excellence. He had a hiccup on an interception thrown right to CB Upton Stout but it seemed there might have been a miscommunication on it. Other than that, the ball barely hit the ground. I had Purdy at 16-of-19 depending on how you view the pass to Black that was knocked out. That included a handful of strikes for big gains to TE Jake Tonges, a would-be deep TD to WR Jordan Watkins and more in rhythm dishes to Robinson. It's been Purdy's best camp and it's fair to think even he would agree. - Tonges has come on very strong the past couple of days, not just making catches but stretching the field a bit. I had him down for four more grabs today after another handful yesterday. Purdy has plenty of comfort with him. Fair to wonder if we'll see more multiple TE stuff in the offense this year given that. - We got some one-on-one pass rush drills today (perhaps the final time in camp?)... I'm a broken record but rookie DT James Thompson Jr. continues to look the part of a legitimate rotational player. He had convincing wins in this drill against C Jake Brendel and G Carver Willis. To me, the most consistently productive UDFA the Niners added this offseason... RT Colton McKivitz has just been so solid here and overall throughout this camp. His ascent through the years has been fun to watch. Completely comfortable in his spot... G Connor Colby had a nice rep against DT C.J. West. West got a strong initial push and Colby seemed to be on his heels but Colby did a nice job reestablishing his feet and sitting down to anchor to prevent any further push... Good stuff from Brendel against DT Alfred Collins, OT Enrique Cruz against Victor Dimukeje, DE Quinton Bell against Cruz and C Drake Nugent against DTs Evan Anderson and Sebastian Valdez. - Just a thought: Nugent has had a solid camp and looks like he's improved. Given Toth's concussion, I wonder if Nugent could be a surprise on the 53 as the primary backup C behind Brendel? - Some defensive highlights today: nice coverage by CB Ephesians Prysock on a deep ball from Mac Jones for Jacob Cowing. Prysock was again solid in coverage later on a Jones throw for WR Will Pauling... Warner had the PBU against Purdy but also had a nice run stuff against RB Jordan James... Thompson got home for a would-be sack on Purdy... Stout's interception against Purdy would likely have gone for a long return, also... LB Dre Greenlaw had a nice PBU (and a near pick) on a Purdy pass for Evans... S Marques Sigle made a nice read and shot the gap for a would-be run stuff against Samuel... LB Larry Worth had a hit on WR Malik Turner that forced an incompletion... S Ashtyn Davis picked off Jones on a pass for Cowing, who seemed to be favoring his leg a bit after the play. - Stribling made a nice catch along the sidelines on a throw from Purdy on the second snap of the starters' reps in team period. Stribling seems to have a great sense of awareness along the sideline that has showed up a few times in this camp. - More work for James and Black today as they come back from injuries. Their fresh legs stand out but it sure feels like both have a chance to contribute. It's been easier said than done when it comes to resting CMC in the past but it's fair to say this is the duo with the most juice of possible 49ers backup RB options of recent vintage. And both are proving capable of doing more than just running the ball. They've been adept in the pass game both as receivers and blockers the past couple of days. That duo also got a couple of looks as a kick returner combo today. - Still no proclamations from anyone on the Niners about the LG competition. But with Jones and Pleasants not practicing, it seems Willis might get the job by default if no outside additions are made.