The San Francisco 49ers fly out to Denver tonight where they will work to prepare for Saturday's preseason matchup with the Broncos. That left time for a short team walk-through/practice inside Levi's Stadium today. It was the first time this offseason that the team held a practice inside their home stadium. The practice was their twelfth practice since opening training camp on July 30.
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Here are some notes from today's practice based on observations by the media.
Colin Kaepernick
It has already been noted that QB Colin Kaepernick was once again limited. While there with his teammates, he did not throw during the walk-through. He was limited during practices last Thursday and Friday, the latter of which was a joint-practice with the Houston Texans. He was sidelined during Sunday's exhibition opener against Houston – a game that saw backup quarterback Thad Lewis suffer a torn ACL. The last time Kaepernick fully participated in a team practice was last Wednesday during the 49ers' open practice at Kezar Stadium. That was six days ago.
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Other injuries
Other key players that did not take part in today's walk-through were WR Quinton Patton (unknown) and WR Bruce Ellington (ankle). CB Dontae Johnson came off the field with what looked like an injury to his left wrist or hand. Sakamoto does not believe that the injury to Johnson is serious. DE Arik Armstead continued to be limited.
DeAndre Smelter (leg) was also sidelined today. On Monday, head coach Chip Kelly called his status "week-to-week."
"Rookie cornerback Rashard Robinson went through a light practice," notes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. "He played six snaps before leaving the game with what Chip Kelly described as tightness."
Blaine Gabbert
Blaine Gabbert was anything but impressive during today's walk-through. His first pass during 7-on-7 drills was in the ground and his fifth was intercepted by ILB Gerald Hodges. He finished 11-on-11 drills just 2 of 6 passing. On the interception, Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group says that TE Vance McDonald didn't run the route that Gabbert was expecting.
#49ers practice:
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 16, 2016
Kaepernick didn't throw, did handoffs
Gabbert 2/6 in 11v11 (often WRs didn't look for ball or dropped it)
Driskel so/so
Anthony Davis works with the first-team
For the first time in practice, OT Anthony Davis worked with the first-team offensive line. He, along with OG Joshua Garnett, had been working with the second-team prior to today. While Garnett continued to work with the second-team, OT Trent Brown, who had previously been working with the first-team, is now with the backup group.
Andrew Tiller and Zane Beadles worked with the first-team offensive line, per Ryan Sakamoto of Niner Fans.
Wide receivers
"Jerome Simpson filled in at left wide receiver for Patton," notes Matt Barrows. "DeAndrew White took most of the slot-receiver snaps with the first-team offense."
Miscellaneous
FS Eric Reid returned to practice, per Sakamoto. He missed Sunday's game to be there for the birth of his baby girl.
#49ers FS Eric Reid was back at practice. Safeties were working on single-high drill (dropping in coverage) then breaking on ball.
— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) August 16, 2016
