49ers training camp: Brock Purdy finds ‘groove’ to finish practice strong

The San Francisco 49ers held their fourth training camp practice, this time without fans in the stands. Fans will return for Monday's session.

Below are some tidbits from the unpadded 10:25 a.m. PT Saturday session, compiled from various sources.

Noteworthy non-participants

• WR Brandon Aiyuk
• WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring)
• OL Jon Feliciano (knee)
• RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
• DT Javon Hargrave (rest)
• WR Tay Martin

Aiyuk continues his hold-in and is not participating in practices. Martin has missed three consecutive practices for undisclosed reasons.

Unavailable players

• LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
• S Talanoa Hufanga (knee)
• DE Drake Jackson (knee)

According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers hope to have Hufanga back in August, around the time the team holds joint practices with the Saints in Irvine, California. Hufanga suffered a torn ACL in November 2023.

• WR Ricky Pearsall (hamstring)

According to Shanahan, Pearsall could return to practice on Monday, the 49ers' first padded session of training camp.

"It's not guaranteed, but he has a chance," Shanahan commented.

• T Trent Williams

Quick notes

The following notable players did not practice on Friday but returned to the field for Saturday's on-field work:

• DE Nick Bosa
• OL Jake Brendel
• OL Spencer Burford (injured; see below)
• DT Maliek Collins
• LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
• TE George Kittle
• RB Christian McCaffrey
• CB Charvarius Ward

Rookie Dominick Puni once again worked with the first-team offensive line during team drills, with Feliciano and Burford out (see injury updates below). If the injuries persist, Puni will continue to see increased practice reps.

"He's done a real good job," Shanahan said of Puni. "We haven't had pads on yet, which is always challenging for guys, especially in protection. But he's stepped in there, got more reps, and I've been excited about him."

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reports that the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Christian McCaffrey, had a strong run down the sideline and nearly made an over-the-shoulder catch there too.

"It was another slow start for the top offense as they struggled to block for QB Brock Purdy," ESPN's Nick Wagoner wrote. "Again, it must be emphasized that they aren't in pads yet so an inherent disadvantage for that group, though there are, of course, still question marks in general on the OL.

"The pass protection did settle in after an early would-be sack for DE Leonard Floyd, a Fred Warner pressure that led to a throwaway, another sack for Floyd with pressure from Nick Bosa and then another sack for Bosa."

Wagoner noted that Purdy eventually found his "groove," connecting with wide receivers Malik Turner, Deebo Samuel, and Chris Conley while completing his final 10 pass attempts.

Josh Dobbs appears to be trending upward. Wagoner reported that the veteran quarterback completed 10 of 11 throws, suggesting that Dobbs is settling into his new offense. Inman reported that Dobbs completed passes to wide receivers Chris Conley, Trent Taylor, and Danny Gray, as well as tight ends Jake Tonges and Brayden Willis.

When asked how Dobbs is acclimating to the offense, Shanahan responded, "I think he knows it mentally. It's just about going through the reps and the situations and getting a feel for the rhythm of it. ... You want to get a feel of the offense and everything, but don't expect people to be blocking very well with the second and third group, especially when you don't have pads on. So that's always the biggest challenge for quarterbacks in training camp, especially when you're going with twos or threes. But, I think Dobbs has done a hell of a job for us so far."

Reporters have noticed that defensive end Robert Beal Jr. looks bigger in his second year. When asked if Beal has bulked up, Shanahan stated, "I think he has a little bit. I think he made some big steps towards the end of last year and he's helped us out on special teams. He's trying to be a part of our group, and get in that rotation as a rusher, and get better in the run game. But I've been excited about Robert. He had a good offseason. He's been good in these four days, and we'll see how he goes."

Injury updates

Spencer Burford returned to practice with a cast on his right hand. Shanahan informed reporters that the offensive lineman suffered a broken hand, and the 49ers are determining whether he requires surgery, which would sideline him for about three weeks.

Shanahan revealed that wide receiver Jacob Cowing has missed the past two practices because of a hamstring injury.

Defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu limped off the field towards the end of practice.

Next practice

Monday, July 29 at 10:25 a.m. PT
SAP Performance Facility, Santa Clara, CA

Monday's practice is scheduled to be the first padded training camp session.

Videos

None of the following videos are from team drills, as the media must stop recording once team drills begin.

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