The San Francisco 49ers returned to the SAP Performance Facility on Thursday for Day 8 of Training Camp presented by Visa, welcoming fans and dozens of team alumni for the organization's annual 87 Day celebration. Alumni included 49ers legends such as Brent Jones, Bryant Young, Ronnie Lott, Keena Turner, Patrick Willis, and others.
Each year around Aug. 7, the 49ers celebrate 87 Day to honor franchise legend Dwight Clark. Clark is forever remembered for "The Catch," the iconic touchdown reception that sent San Francisco to its first Super Bowl and helped launch one of the NFL's greatest dynasties. Beyond football, the day is also for raising awareness around ALS, the disease Clark bravely battled.
Staff, alumni, and guests wore No. 87 shirts in honor of Clark while welcoming families and individuals affected by ALS.
INJURY UPDATES
Back today:
- DL Sam Okuayinonu practiced in full after exiting early on Wednesday.
- DL Osa Odighizuwa returned.
- LB Dre Greenlaw was back in uniform, but didn't take part in team drills.
- WR De'Zhaun Stribling also returned in uniform, and although he did not play in team drills, did individual drills off to the side.
Did not practice:
- OL Nick Zakelj did not practice today with an arm injury after exiting Wednesday's practice early.
- Several players remained sidelined, including wide receivers Mike Evans (quadricep), Jacob Cowing (hip flexor), and Christian Kirk (calf), plus RB Jordan James (rib), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), DL Keion White (adductor), OL Vederian Lowe (ankle), DL Nick Bosa (soreness), FB Kyle Juszczyk (finger), OL Carver Willis (concussion), and OL Brett Toth (undisclosed).
ROSTER MOVES
The 49ers announced ahead of Thursday's practice that the team signed OL Kion Smith to a one-year deal. In order to make room on the roster, the team waived WR Colton Dowell.
PRACTICE NOTES
OFFENSE:
1. QB Brock Purdy and the first-team offense handled the majority of Thursday's workload.
Purdy took 32 snaps during team periods, completing 12 of his 17 pass attempts while spreading the ball to multiple receivers.
With Evans, Kirk, and Cowing unavailable, the first-team offense leaned on wide receivers Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel Sr., Malik Turner, Jordan Watkins, and others for increased reps.
2. Turner turned in a productive day.
The wide receiver caught all three of his targets, two from Purdy and one from QB Mac Jones, including a deep completion from Purdy that drew cheers from the crowd before he took off for additional yardage.
3. Samuel Sr. continued to see touches in a variety of ways.
The veteran receiver was involved throughout team drills, seeing multiple designed touches including handoffs, pitches, and receptions as the offense continued to move him around the formation.
4. Robinson and newly signed WR KhaDarel Hodge also saw plenty of opportunities.
Robinson remained a steady target for the offense, hauling in multiple receptions throughout team drills, while Hodge quickly got involved less than 24 hours after signing. Hodge saw opportunities in both one-on-one and 11-on-11 periods, including a deep completion from Purdy.
5. Jones praised the development of San Francisco's young receivers following practice.
With several veteran receivers sidelined, Jones said the additional opportunities have allowed younger players to continue developing within San Francisco's offense.
"It's good for these young guys to step up and make plays," Jones said. "I've been impressed with their work ethic... Our system is complex, so I'm not expecting them to get it in one day, or one week."
Jones pointed to WR Junior Bergen for "going out there, knowing what to do, and playing fast." He then talked about the relationship he's built with Watkins.
"If he has a bad play, I always try to go up to him and be like, 'Hey, play the next play.' Similar with me, if I have a bad play, I want him to do the same."
Jones also had high praise for Stribling, who returned to individual drills on Thursday after dealing with hamstring tightness.
"I call him the flying Hawaiian because he's so fast... He has a second gear when the ball's in the air... I think he'll be a really good player."
DEFENSE:
1. Cornerbacks continue to be one of the most eye-catching position groups, displaying close coverage and playmaking ability.
CB Renardo Green came up with the biggest play during team 1-on-1s, stepping in front of a receiver and snagging an interception to close out the drill.
In the second series of the team period, CB Jack Jones had tight coverage on Watkins. Reaching in and getting a hand on the pass, Jones tipped it, stayed tight on the receiver, and came down with the interception.
"It seems like he makes a play a day out there," defensive coordinator Morris said about Jones, who Morris endearingly refers to as "Jack Jack." "You never have enough good players, and Jack Jack's certainly one of them. You know he has a chance to go out there and make a play."
CB Upton Stout also had a pass break up in team 1-on-1s.
"Stout can play linebacker. Stout can play safety. Stout can play corner," Morris said. "His ability to pass rush, his ability to use his short space quickness, defend anything, whether it be zone, whether it be man. A highly competitive young man, who stays angry every single day. I love him."
After practice, Mac Jones discussed how difficult his job has been this training camp because of the strength of the cornerback group.
"More plays are being made on the ball this year, which is a good thing," Jones said. "They've done a great job over there and I'm excited to see them in a real game and what it looks like."
2. S Ji'Ayir Brown was responsible for a punch out during team drills. The loose ball was picked up by Green.
3. The defensive line put on the pressure.
At Thursday's practice, the defensive line generated a good number of hurried throws and forced quarterback scrambles. DL Osa Odighizuwa got in Purdy's face for what would have been a sack on one rush.
4. LB Luke Gifford nearly came up with an interception after a great read, settling for a pass breakup instead.
