49ers minicamp: C.J. Spillman gets first team reps and what to take away from day one of 49ers practices

The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up a pair of practices today, split up by media availability with Jim Harbaugh, Greg Roman and several players. The second practice session was open to the media, and we have a variety of practice reports at our disposal. I've linked the reports at the bottom for you to read through in detail. In the meantime, I thought I'd pull out some of the highlights.

1. The free safety position remains a bit in flux

C.J. Spillman got the start at free safety on Tuesday. This followed last week's OTAs in which the 49ers rotated in Eric Reid and Craig Dahl with Spillman at free and strong safety. For today's practice, Spillman and Donte Whitner were first team, while Reid (FS) and Dahl (SS) were second team. I suspect we'll see Reid get some first-team free safety snaps this week as the 49ers likely continue this rotation.

2. A.J. Jenkins vs. Quinton Patton heats up

It sounds like Quinton Patton had the better day, but A.J. Jenkins got first team snaps. Jenkins had one catch on the day as he was only targeted once. Patton worked with Colt McCoy and the No. 2s, and it appears that he had a fairly prolific day. It sounds like Jenkins made a very nice catch, but one has to wonder how much he is getting open if he was only targeted once. Again, we'll learn more at training camp.

3. Scott Tolzien struggled

It sounds like Tolzien struggled, throwing at least three interceptions (I'm seeing slightly conflicting reports). He and B.J. Daniels worked with the second-string offense, while Colin Kaepernick and Colt McCoy worked with the first-team offense. I find myself really curious to see B.J. Daniels in preseason action.

4. Jewel Hampton is getting a look

The 49ers gave first-team running back work to Jewel Hampton on Tuesday. Frank Gore has been primarily sticking to weight room work, while last week LaMichael James suffered what is being described as a minor hamstring strain. With Kendall Hunter resting up his Achilles for training camp, that leaves Hampton with first-team carries. Anthony Dixon and LaMichael James both got some work as well, but Hampton was the main guy. While Gore might start off preseason games, I have to think Hampton gets his share of work while they slowly work Kendall Hunter back into the rotation.

5. Offensive line work

The 49ers are without Joe Staley at left tackle and Mike Iupati at left guard. Reports indicate Kenny Wiggins and Adam Snyder handled first-team work at those positions, respectively. Additionally, while Jonathan Goodwin got first-team center snaps, Daniel Kilgore received first-team center snaps as well.

6. Injury report/attendance

The 49ers had just about everybody in attendance with only Michael Crabtree and Lamar Divens not seen at practice. Here is a rundown of players who were in attendance but did not take part in all aspects of practice:

LB Ahmad Brooks, DL Cornellius Carradine, DL Quinton Dial, LB Darius Fleming, RB Frank Gore, RB Kendall Hunter, OL Mike Iupati, RB Marcus Lattimore, WR Mario Manningham, OL Luke Marquardt, DE Ray McDonald, CB Carlos Rogers, OL Joe Staley, LB Aldon Smith, DL Justin Smith, WR Kyle Williams

Practice reports
Bay Area Sports Guy
Gin
Maiocco
Barrows
Inman
49ers.com
Cohn

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