No preseason games. No scrimmages with the Denver Broncos or any other NFL team. These practices are the only opportunities for Kyle Shanahan and his coaching staff to conduct on-field evaluations of the San Francisco 49ers roster before the start of the season.
The 49ers on Monday held their third practice and first padded practice of training camp.
"If you aren't excited for the first day of pads, what are you playing the game for?" defensive tackle D.J. Jones told reporters on Sunday. "Yes, I'll get my sleep tonight, but I'll be tossing and turning thinking about it."
The 49ers got some bad news on Sunday. The team fears that wide receiver Jalen Hurd, who missed his rookie season due to a back injury, suffered a torn ACL. The second-year player underwent an MRI on Monday.
Shanahan didn't sound too optimistic after practice, saying that he expects the MRI to reveal an ACL injury.
"I really felt bad for the guy, but he'll be back next year," Shanahan told reporters.
'I really felt bad for the guy': Kyle Shanahan expects MRI to reveal ACL injury for #49ers WR Jalen Hurd https://t.co/lB2hExSwzc
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) August 17, 2020
Below are some of Monday's practice notes from various media sources.
It's been over half a year since we last saw this — the 49ers have put full pads back on for the first time since Super Bowl LIV. Jimmy Garoppolo is wearing the lightweight titanium brace on his left knee: pic.twitter.com/FTYJi1SkNY
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 17, 2020
Here's a look at the quarterbacks going through some warmups... pic.twitter.com/rpJ6cS9rKE
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 17, 2020
Neither defensive lineman Arik Armstead (back) nor cornerback K'Waun Williams (calf) participated in practice. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Matt Barrows of The Athletic provides an update on Williams.
Results of #49er CB K'Waun Williams' MRI are not back yet, but the initial thinking is that his issue is muscular (calf) and not joint-related.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 17, 2020
Armstead, however, was suited up during practice, which is a good sign regarding his health. (NBC Sports Bay Area)
Safety Marcell Harris came down with his second interception of training camp. Today's came on a pass from quarterback Nick Mullens. (49ers.com)
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hit wide receiver Kendrick Bourne on a 40-yard pass with safety Jimmie Ward defending. Bourne had two touchdowns (one from Mullens and the other from C.J. Beathard) while tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Shawn Poindexter, and running back Raheem Mostert also scored. (Bay Area News Group)
The defensive line had a strong day, stuffing running backs throughout the practice. (The Athletic)
DeMeco Ryans isn't too far removed from his playing career, and here the 49ers LB coach — whose position unit is flourishing — offers some hands-on instruction at camp pic.twitter.com/ozh0Vo610u
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 17, 2020
Javon Kinlaw's first sled hit in full pads as a 49er, with DL coach Kris Kocurek watching intently, of course pic.twitter.com/eJJF9xymyy
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 17, 2020
As has often been the case, the defensive line seemed in solid control of things at the line of scrimmage for much of the day, best I could see. S Jaquiski Tartt was particularly active against the run in early portion of team drills.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 17, 2020
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw hauled in an interception while defensive back Tarvarius Moore had a pass breakup. (The Athletic)
Wide receiver Trent Taylor continues to impress. (The Athletic)
"Taylor snagged an out, turned upfield and dove past the pylon to move the chains," reports David Lombardi. "George Kittle played ref and signaled 'first down!'"
