On Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers held their first of 13 training camp practices at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara. Veteran and rookie players reported to training camp on Wednesday, which was spent on administrative meetings, conditioning tests, and a team meeting that evening. Thursday was the team's first time back on the practice field since a mid-June minicamp.
Thursday's practice started at 10:15 a.m. Below are some notes from the outing.
Quarterbacks
Garoppolo finished practice 4-of-9 during 11-on-11 drills and 5-of-7 in 7-on-7 drills, according to Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group.
"Don't fret on camp stats," wrote Inman via Twitter. "Jimmy looks in control of offense. When he and Goodwin missed on 20-yard pass, they talked behind scenes later about route and moves, then Jimmy came back and completed 25-yard pass to Goodwin in hole of defense between Foster and Colbert."
C.J. Beathard threw a 30-yard pass down the right sideline to rookie wide receiver Richie James near the end of practice.
Running Backs
Jerick McKinnon looked impressive.
"On the first play of the 49ers' first practice of training camp, Jerick McKinnon got to the corner on an outside run, turned upfield and scampered untouched down the left sideline," wrote Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. "Later, he snuck out of the backfield and was all alone -- after linebacker Reuben Foster and nickel back K'Waun Williams collided -- and caught a swing pass from Jimmy Garoppolo for a big gain."
Wide Receivers
The Jimmy Garoppolo to Marquise Goodwin connection looks strong. Marquise Goodwin had several down-the-field catches. He is heading into his second season with the 49ers after a 56-catch, 962-yard, and two-touchdown performance in 2017.
All three of the offense's biggest plays so far are long passes from Jimmy Garoppolo to Marquise Goodwin.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) July 26, 2018
"[Goodwin] caught a deep crossing route from Garoppolo against the coverage of Adrian Colbert early in practice," reported Maiocco. "He also caught a deep ball between Reuben Foster and Colbert, then beat Ahkello Witherspoon for a 20-yard reception."
Offensive Line
One of training camp's most intriguing competitions is for the starting right guard job. Joshua Garnett opened training camp as the starter at the position. Jonathan Cooper, who appeared on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovers from a knee injury, spent Thursday's practice getting some work in on a side field.
Defensive Backs
Tyvis Powell and Tarvarius Moore hauled in interceptions during 7-on-7 drills. Moore's pick came against wide receiver Dante Pettis, who signed his four-year rookie contract on Wednesday, as the two fell to the ground. Second-year quarterback C.J. Beathard threw the pass.
49ers senior reporter Joe Fann says cornerback Richard Sherman "looked fine" in practice.
"Nothing obvious good or bad other than he looked healthy," he wrote.
There was no noticeable limp from Sherman. The All-Pro cornerback was medically cleared to practice on Wednesday. He spent the offseason rehabbing from a ruptured Achilles sustained in a November game against the Arizona Cardinals while still with the Seattle Seahawks.
"Sherman appeared to be moving fine with no noticeable hindrances throughout the practice," wrote Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
The savvy veteran was seen tipping defensive coaches of the offense's tells and was not targeted by quarterbacks during practice. Sherman alternated first-team reps with Jimmie Ward.
Linebackers
Brock Coyle had a nice pass breakup against second-year tight end George Kittle. He started next to Reuben Foster while Malcolm Smith deals with a lower leg injury.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh on Coyle being underrated: "He's not underrated in this building."
Rookie Fred Warner received reps on the second-team defense.
"[Warner] ran with receiver Kendrick Bourne on a long corner route and prevented a completion, to which Saleh ran over to him and celebrated," wrote Chris Biderman of Niners Wire. "Later, Warner hung with tight end Cole Hikutini on a similar play and closed the window on the passing lane, shaking his finger toward the offense after the ball fell incomplete."
Injuries
None.
