It so happens that the flight I'm on has WiFi (thanks, jetBlue!). Unfortunately for you, that means no escape from me reporting on the Niners. Sorry.
The San Francisco 49ers weren't initially supposed to have practices headed into the bye week but decided to switch things up a bit this year.
"I'm approaching it a little differently than I have in the last couple years because I didn't like how we played coming back versus Tampa last year," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday. "I'm trying to get some extra practices in. The one thing that's different for us this week than what we've had is we're coming back, our game after the Bye week is a Monday night game, so we get an extra day there anyways.
"Our goal is to get three extra practices in that we didn't last year, three more than last year. We'll get one in [on Tuesday] and then we'll get the Monday and Tuesday when we come back."
The 49ers held their last of two practices before players scatter until returning on Monday. The coaching staff will remain behind and get a jump on the planning for the next two opponents, the Cleveland Browns on October 7 and the Los Angeles Rams on October 13.
Reporters were allowed to observe Tuesday's practice until team drills started. Several observed Jalen Hurd getting some work in on a side field. The rookie receiver suffered a hairline fracture in his back during the 49ers' second preseason game and hasn't played or practiced since then.
#49ers begin final practice before bye week. Not practicing but looking on verge for next week is wide receiver Jalen Hurd, who's overcoming a stress reaction in his back pic.twitter.com/7nRwjfAkJn
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 24, 2019
"It's been a serious injury, that's why he had to rest it for about a month, and we're getting close to where he should be ready to go," Shanahan said on Monday. "Hopefully it'll work out right for him. You never know when they come back out if that can act up again, but we feel it's healing up, and hopefully, he'll be able to come out here and help us."
Shanahan added that he expects Hurd to begin practicing when the team returns next week and be available against the Browns.
"This will be a big week for him with rehab and stuff while we're gone," Shanahan told reporters. "But yeah, I'm hoping he'll be back next Monday, and I'm expecting him to."
Defensive back Jimmie Ward is no longer wearing the cast over his right hand protecting his broken finger, according to Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee.
Biderman also notes that new long snapper, Garrison Sanborn, is wearing No. 89.
On Ward: the coaching staff has long touted his ability to play any position in the secondary. It wouldn't be surprising to see him get a shot to replace Ahkello Witherspoon at RCB (if he's medically cleared after the bye).
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) September 24, 2019
Video of new #49ers Garrison Sanborn, their third of what will be four long snappers by midseason pic.twitter.com/GPEPLlk6eY
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 24, 2019
Sanborn was officially signed on Tuesday. Long snapper Kyle Nelson, suspended last year for 10 games, is eligible to return for the 49ers' October 27 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Left tackle Joe Staley, just over a week removed from a fractured fibula, was seen wearing an orthopedic boot on his left foot and working out in the weight room.
