Training camp: Aiyuk, Williams-less 49ers hit the practice field

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."


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."


"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.


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.


"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.


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."


Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles left the field early on with an undisclosed injury.

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.

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