49ers training camp: Brock Purdy, George Kittle in sync, Deommodore Lenoir comes up big

The San Francisco 49ers held their 14th training camp practice on Monday, the first session following Saturday's preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. The team is now preparing for Sunday's exhibition game against the New Orleans Saints, which will be the 49ers' only home game this preseason.

Here are some highlights from the 2:00 p.m. PT practice at the SAP Performance Facility, compiled from various sources.

Noteworthy non-participants

• WR Brandon Aiyuk (hold-in)
• OL Ben Bartch
• OL Spencer Burford (hand)
• DT Kalia Davis (knee)
• OL Jon Feliciano (knee irritation)
• RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
• RB Christian McCaffrey (calf)
• RB Elijah Mitchell (hamstring)
• S George Odum (baby duty)
• DE Sam Okuayinonu
• WR Ricky Pearsall (shoulder)
• RB Patrick Taylor Jr.
• CB Ambry Thomas (forearm)
• TE Brayden Willis (soreness)
• CB Isaac Yiadom (ankle)

Unavailable players

• LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
• S Talanoa Hufanga (knee)
• DE Drake Jackson (knee, season-ending)

• DE Austin Bryant (hamstring)
• OL Pat Elflein (calf)
• WR Terique Owens

• T Trent Williams (hold out)

Shanahan explains decision to cancel joint practices

The 49ers have canceled their scheduled joint practices with the Saints in Southern California, opting to remain in Santa Clara this week. Injuries significantly influenced the decision.

"It was tough because we like to do it," head coach Kyle Shanahan said. "In the long run, I waited so long to make the decision because of how much we enjoy doing it. But when we realized we were just doing it because we were enjoying doing it, and trying to change the monotony, that really didn't make it worth it.

"It really wasn't the best thing for our team, with where we're at injury-wise. Love doing that stuff, and love to go out there, but the risk was too much. It outweighed the reward."

Veteran wide receiver Chris Conley was asked about the team's injury situation and how it might be affecting the mood in the locker room.

"I think that you obviously want guys to be healthy, and there's a lot of guys who are working through plenty of things, some that we know about, some that we don't," Conley explained. "And I think that Kyle's being cautious and looking out for guys. ... To us, I don't think that people are panicking. If anything, it's a time to focus in and make things right because when things don't feel right, that's when it's got to be right."

Quick notes

Monday's practice lasted about an hour and was a non-padded session. Shanahan chose to rest many of the backups who saw extended playing time in Saturday's preseason game against the Titans.

Linebacker Fred Warner (foot) returned to practice, while wide receiver Danny Gray continued to wear a blue no-contact jersey.

According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, quarterback Brock Purdy targeted George Kittle eight times during team drills. Kittle caught six of the passes, several of which resulted in significant gains. The duo appears to be developing strong chemistry as the regular season approaches.

"They missed only on a high throw that Kittle caught but couldn't get both feet down with CB Charvarius Ward nudging him out of bounds and on an early throw that was a bit late with Purdy under pressure that Deommodore Lenoir broke up," Wagoner reported.

Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated noted, "Kittle was the best player on the field today. While Brandon Aiyuk is out, Kittle becomes the most complete receiver on the team, so it makes sense that his targets would increase."

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group highlighted that Lenoir made the play of the day with an "acrobatic" goal-line interception of a pass from Purdy intended for wide receiver Jacob Cowing.

"They had got me earlier in camp where [the receiver] crossed my face," Lenoir said after practice. "So this time, I held my leverage, and then I mimicked Jacob's release, put [up my] hands, and then ran with him, and then heard Fred (Warner) yell 'Ball' from far. And then I went up and made the play."

Purdy also had some solid connections with wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who continues to have a strong camp. Wagoner reported that Purdy finished the practice 9-of-15, overthrowing Gray and wide receiver Jauan Jennings.

Inman added that Cowing had a drop, and Gray let a 20-yard pass slip through his hands.

Monday's session was the first for newly signed wideout Robbie Chosen (see videos below).

Injury updates

While there wasn't much to note from the practice itself, Shanahan provided several injury updates. In addition to cornerback Ambry Thomas suffering a broken right forearm against the Titans, defensive tackle Kalia Davis sustained a knee injury that will require surgery, sidelining him for about half the season.

Safety Talanoa Hufanga is set to meet with his doctor this week, and the team is hopeful he can return to practice soon.

Next practice

Wednesday, August 14 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 must stop recording once team drills begin.

Related News

• 49ers trying to play catch-up with previously-injured rookie WR Niners Wire • Aug 12
• 49ers camp takeaways: Shanahan makes practice adjustment amid injuries NBCS Bay Area • Aug 12
• Kyle Shanahan Explains Why 49ers Cancelled Joint Practices with Saints SI.com • Aug 13