The San Francisco 49ers returned to the SAP Performance Facility on Saturday for Day 9 of Training Camp presented by Visa after Friday's scheduled player recovery day. Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media for the first time since the start of camp, while the defense continued its strong summer with standout performances from CB Nate Hobbs and DB Deommodore Lenoir. On offense, WR De'Zhaun Stribling returned to full team drills after missing time with a hamstring injury, and veteran WR Trenton Irwin turned in one of his best practices since joining the team.
INJURY UPDATES
Back at practice:
- Stribling returned to full participation after being limited to individual drills in his previous practice.
- LB Dre Greenlaw returned to full team drills.
- WR Jacob Cowing also returned to full team drills.
Did not practice:
- LB Luke Gifford (hamstring) did not practice today.
- Several players remained sidelined, including wide receivers Mike Evans (quad), and Christian Kirk (calf), plus RB Jordan James (rib), RB Kaelon Black (adductor), S Malik Mustapha (hamstring), DL Keion White (adductor), OL Vederian Lowe (ankle), DL Nick Bosa (soreness), FB Kyle Juszczyk (finger), OL Carver Willis (concussion), OL Brett Toth (concussion), and OL Nick Zakelj (arm).
SHANAHAN SPEAKS TO MEDIA FOR FIRST TRAINING CAMP UPDATE
Saturday marked Shanahan's first media availability since the start of training camp. The head coach said he's been watching film every day throughout his recovery, believes the team entered camp in a better position than it did last year, and emphasized there's still plenty of work ahead.
Shanahan also praised the support he received from the coaching staff and the performance team throughout his recovery, crediting them for allowing him to focus on getting healthy.
"It made it really easy for me not to worry about me having to do something," Shanahan said. "Our guys are awesome... We have a pretty well-oiled machine."
Shanahan then addressed the team's recent roster changes and injuries. He acknowledged the impact of losing WR Ricky Pearsall for the season, noting it creates opportunities for receivers such as Stribling, Evans, and others to step into larger roles.
PRACTICE NOTES
Offense:
After returning to full participation, Stribling looked comfortable back in the offense, hauling in a few receptions throughout team and one-on-one periods.
Veteran receiver Trenton Irwin, who signed with the 49ers last week, also stood out. The seventh-year receiver consistently showed reliable hands and speed today, and even mixed in with the first-team offense a few times during practice. Irwin connected with both quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones on several completions, continuing to build his case for a roster spot.
Wide receivers Jordan Watkins, Demarcus Robinson, Malik Turner, Junior Bergen, and Deebo Samuel Sr. all contributed catches throughout team periods.
OTHER NOTES:
- RB Christian McCaffrey incorporated some basketball drills into warmups before practice.
- Running backs Patrick Taylor Jr., Khalil Herbert, and Sincere McCormick all saw consistent work during team periods.
- Tight ends Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis each found success during red zone work, with Farrell hauling in a touchdown from Purdy.
Defense:
The secondary once again made life difficult for the quarterbacks.
Hobbs arguably turned in his strongest practice of training camp, finishing with four pass breakups/forced incompletions, a forced punch-out, and nearly coming away with an interception during red zone work.
The defensive back, Lenoir, also flashed, coming away with what would be a pick-six late during practice in the red zone.
CB Renardo Green continued the trend and came away with an interception during red zone work, while cornerbacks Jack Jones and Upton Stout each added diving pass breakups.
Rookie DL Romello Height continued stacking productive practices. Height has rotated across multiple spots during camp and credited defensive line coach Kris Kocurek for helping elevate his game.
"I wouldn't want to be coached any other way... He wants his guys to be perfect and give it their all," Height said.
OTHER NOTES:
- DL Alfred Collins batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage.
- LB Fred Warner nearly intercepted a pass during 11-on-11 after reading the play and also recovered a fumble.
