The San Francisco 49ers hit the practice field for the first time during training camp, with two notable non-participants.
The first was Brandon Aiyuk. The wide receiver surprisingly reported to camp with his veteran teammates yesterday but did not participate in any on-field work due to an ongoing contract dispute, officially "holding in."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that the excuse was some back and neck soreness but added, "We expected it, and I understand the situation fully."
Brandon Aiyuk is present and, not shockingly, not participating in the #49ers first practice of training camp. pic.twitter.com/haWHS3u1dF
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) July 24, 2024
The second absent player was veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams. Following practice, Shanahan confirmed that Williams is holding out amid his own contract dispute.
"It was something I knew could be a possibility," Shanahan said. "I mean, I was hoping that he would be here, but I knew it could be a possibility, and I feel pretty confident that it'll all work out in the long run, and he'll be here, and we'll get on the same page with everything."
Below are some tidbits from the unpadded 10:25 a.m. PT session, compiled from various sources.
Noteworthy non-participants
- WR Brandon Aiyuk
- T Trent Williams
Quick notes
Jaylon Moore filled in for Williams at left tackle as the 49ers started team drills.
Quarterback Brock Purdy appears to have added some muscle during the offseason, which several reporters commented on during practice. However, after practice, Purdy noted that he's only "probably a couple pounds heavier."
QB1 getting loose 💪 pic.twitter.com/dpRnJsT65a
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 24, 2024
"I didn't want to just bulk up and try to gain as much weight as I can," Purdy said. "I was smart about it, so I still got to move and throw well."
Jake Hutchinson of Audacy shared some interesting tidbits from practice.
Quick 49ers Day 1 Notes:
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) July 24, 2024
- No Trent Williams, Aiyuk brief sideline appearance
- Deebo looked good (so did Jennings) + great battle w/Yiadom
- Mustapha awesome INT on bad ball from Dobbs (who hasn't been convincing)
- Guerendo went down hurt and limped off, held left hammy area
Discussing Malik Mustapha's interception, Shanahan said: "That was awesome because I just watched the route, and I thought Danny (Gray) got the corner, so I thought he was gonna win on the go-route, and then the middle-third safety picked it off with ease. So he showed his range there. I gotta kinda see what the quarterback did. Hopefully, he didn't stare it down. But if he looked him off and he still got there, then it was extremely impressive."
Hutchinson notes that tight end George Kittle was exceptionally vocal with all the tight ends, celebrating their good plays. Similarly, linebacker Fred Warner was highly expressive on the defensive side, even running all the way to the end zone with Mustapha during the rookie safety's interception.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that wide receiver Jauan Jennings had a busy first day of practice, taking advantage of the absences of Brandon Aiyuk and rookie Ricky Pearsall, who is on the non-football injury (NFI) list due to a hamstring injury.
"Jennings caught three passes during practice, including his grab of a high Brandon Allen pass in traffic on a crossing route," Maiocco wrote.
Jennings and Deebo Samuel are the 49ers' top two wideouts at the start of training camp. Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes that Samuel looked slimmer during today's practice.
"Samuel looked slimmer during spring drills than he had the previous season, and he appears to have lost even more weight before the start of training camp. He caught a crisp pass in the teeth of the 49ers defense from Purdy midway through the practice, though he also dropped a Purdy pass later in the session."
Barrows noted that one 49ers receiver, Danny Gray, who is considered by many to be on the roster bubble, stood out by catching two passes from Purdy during team drills.
As expected, Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir lined up as the starting outside corners during team drills. In nickel formations, Lenoir moved into the slot and Isaac Yiadom took his place outside. Rookie Renardo Green served a backup role, lining up at nickel and on the outside.
Injury updates
Dre Greenlaw was seen working with the training staff. The linebacker started training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he continues to rehab from the torn Achilles he suffered in February's Super Bowl. He appears to be progressing well.
Dre Greenlaw putting in work at 49ers practice 💪 pic.twitter.com/vjwuc3gwTG
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 24, 2024
"Greenlaw, who was moving around gingerly in May, looked far more spry Wednesday and was on the field to help his fellow linebackers warm up," noted Barrows.
Newly acquired defensive end Leonard Floyd walked off the practice field gingerly, clutching his right calf, after the first play of team drills. However, he was able to return to practice.
#49ers DE Leonard Floyd is back in team drills after hobbling off with apparent calf injury.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) July 24, 2024
Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo left practice with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and did not return. There has been considerable excitement surrounding the first-year player, whose 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine was the fastest among this year's rookie running backs and the third-fastest overall in Indianapolis.
The 49ers' other running backs later approached a frustrated Guerendo on the sideline to check on him.
"It looked like he hyperextended a little bit," Shanahan said. "He was going about half-speed, it looked like, so it was an unusual one. They just told me it was a hamstring, but we got to get the MRI."
#49ers rookie RB Isaac Guerendo came off field grabbing right hamstring. He has not returned.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) July 24, 2024
Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles left the field early on with an undisclosed injury.
Two injuries at practice today: LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles limped off the field early on; rookie LB Isaac Guerendo appeared to suffer a right hamstring strain midway through practice. Guerendo has a long history of hammy issues at #Wisconsin
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) July 24, 2024
Next practice
Thursday, July 25 at 10:25 a.m. PT
SAP Performance Facility, Santa Clara, CA
Videos
None of the following videos are from team drills, as the media is required to stop recording once team drills begin.
Brandon Aiyuk just walked off the field … and into the 49ers main HQ building with John Lynch. pic.twitter.com/HMl9l0ylZW
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) July 24, 2024
Brandon Aiyuk sighting 👀 pic.twitter.com/xKUDa46zBM
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 24, 2024
Brock Purdy 🎯 pic.twitter.com/OAlmsmB42B
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) July 24, 2024
Dre Greenlaw helping out with LB drills today pic.twitter.com/BvdeHnlgdt
— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) July 24, 2024
Dre Greenlaw is on PUP but it's apparent that he's very eager to return. He even popped the sled a few times and played catch with Fred Warner. Recovery from Achilles tear is progressing well pic.twitter.com/GRiWK85G9l
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) July 24, 2024
How soon until Big Play Dre returns? 👀 pic.twitter.com/yYIQu0ptcz
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) July 24, 2024
Just like that.. we're back 🏈 #49ersCamp pic.twitter.com/mwmpj33Zeh
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) July 24, 2024