While San Francisco 49ers players have been together for a couple of weeks now, players have only taken part in walk-throughs. Saturday was the team's first practice, and it was made available to a limited number of the media due to the coronavirus pandemic. Reporters were positioned on a distant field and are required to keep their distance from the players and staff, wear face coverings at all times, and won't be allowed into the facility buildings due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Obviously, no fans will be allowed to attend any of the practice sessions.
The media will be allowed to observe practices over the next four days. The 49ers will hold their first padded practice of training camp on Monday. Players have Wednesday off.
Below are some of Saturday's practice notes from various media sources.
Newly signed wide receivers Tavon Austin and J.J. Nelson took part in practice. Austin wore No. 5 while Nelson wore No. 7. Both players were required to pass three COVID-19 tests before joining their new teammates. (Sacramento Bee)
Defensive lineman Arik Armstead did not practice due to some "back irritation." (49ers)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had been taking part in walk-throughs without the lightweight knee brace he wore all last season. He wore the brace on his left knee for Saturday's practice. (The Athletic)
At least for today, Jimmy Garoppolo has the lightweight titanium knee brace back on. Mobility looks fine. Full pads come on Monday pic.twitter.com/NjihTWiCOP
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 15, 2020
One highlight from practice was a healthy Trent Taylor, who did not play last season due to a foot injury, making a diving sideline catch on a C.J. Beathard pass after a couple of drops. He took a lot of reps with the first-team offense. (The Athletic, Sacramento Bee)
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, a first-round draft pick, has stand-out size.
#49ers first round pick Javon Kinlaw is as big of a humans as advertised.
It takes very little effort to pick him out of the group of D-linemen. pic.twitter.com/Qrd5eJ3jS8
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) August 15, 2020
Cornerback Richard Sherman broke up a pass by Garoppolo intended for Taylor. (ESPN)
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who is recovering from a foot injury, observed practice. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers' other first-round pick, caught some passes from Garoppolo. Running back Jerick McKinnon appeared to have "some zip in his step." (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Aiyuk saw some snaps with the first-team offense. Kinlaw got some work with the first-team defense. (Sacramento Bee)
Tight end Jordan Reed and wide receiver Jalen Hurd were on the side running routes during team drills. Both took part in individual drills. Neither played last season due to injuries. Reed was dealing with the symptoms of a concussion while Hurd was recovering from a back injury. (Sacramento Bee)
The 49ers finished practice without any new injuries. (Bay Area News Group)
Some other jersey number updates (The Athletic):
- WR Jauan Jennings - 17
- CB Jamar Taylor - 32
- G/C Spencer Long - 61
- OT William Sweet - 77
- TE Jordan Reed - 81
- DE Dion Jordan - 96
