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The San Francisco 49ers return to their full practice session on Wednesday, which means we'll get to see the first injury report of the week. One player who is expected to make his return to practice is left guard Mike Iupati. During the normal Wednesday Harbaugh press conference, Cam Inman asked him about Iupati's status. Coach Harbaugh said Iupati had already been on the field in the morning and was expected back in the afternoon. My guess is we see him listed as "limited" for the practice session.
This news comes a day after the 49ers signed guard Ryan Seymour off the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. This move was one of three roster moves on Tuesday. Earlier today, I wrote about the Tank Carradine IR move. Given this news about Mike Iupati, I thought I'd take a deeper dive into the Ryan Seymour signing.
The Seahawks drafted Seymour in the seventh round of this past April's NFL Draft. He was released at the end of training camp, after which he signed to the practice squad. In signing Seymour, the 49ers are required to keep him on the 53-man roster for at least three weeks. They can technically release him before the three weeks are up, but they have to pay him for three weeks, and he will occupy the roster spot until then.
Field Gulls put together a basic rundown on Seymour shortly after his selection. He is a basic depth option at this point. The ESPN Scouts Inc scouting report points to a guy with a basic skill level, but nothing extraordinary:
Run Blocking
Quick enough to reach front side three-technique and cut off backside one-technique in zone scheme. Above average pad level and flashes decent initial pop but below average power base and doesn't generate much push in phone booth. Can give ground and lose balance when doesn't stay low ... Gets to the second level quickly and flashes the ability to adjust to moving targets. Above average range. However, plays too high in space and gets stood up by linebackers. Overaggressive and angles can be cleaner.
Awareness
Picks up blitzes and line stunts but appears a split second late recognizing them at times in pass pro. As a run blocker keeps head up and locates linebacker on combination blocks. A touch inconsistent locating second level assignments when asked to pull. Average natural instincts and doesn't always adjust well on the fly.
Joe Looney likely remains the primary backup behind Adam Snyder, with Daniel Kilgore apparently focusing in as the reserve center. I would be surprised if Iupati was active this week, but if he is, the team can clear out Seymour pretty quickly. In the meantime, he gives them a deeper option if Iupati can't go and things generally go to hell on Sunday.
