The San Francisco 49ers held their only open practice of training camp on Wednesday, putting on a show for over 8,000 fans at Kezar Stadium. "Putting on a show" might not be the best term, depending on what you were there to see. Jennifer Chan will have a report tomorrow, and you can listen to Tracy Sandler’s thoughts above, but it sounds like Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick struggled.
Chip Kelly announced earlier in the day that both players would get significant work with the ones during the preseason games. He previously said preseason games would be when this thing would really be decided. Each player has had their strong practice performances thus far, but it seems like neither has taken a real step forward to firmly secure the starting job. And based on Wednesday’s reports, it remains up in the air.
Some fans in attendance were enamored with Jeff Driskel. I think we can see almost without a doubt that he is going to do something big at some point in the preseason (one pass, one series, one game, whatever), people are going to lose their mind, and someone is going to call for him to be the starter Week 1. I would almost put money on this.
Ronald Blair update
We haven’t heard much from the 49ers fifth round pick, but a key veteran had some praise for him.
When I asked Staley about the D-line, he mentioned Armstead, Buckner, but finished: "Don't forget about Ronald Blair."
— Dylan DeSimone (@DeSimone_80) August 10, 2016
According to Chris Biderman’s report, Blair got some first team action in passing situations. Arik Armstead is still dealing with a shoulder issue, and while Chip Kelly said it is not serious, Armstead sat out team drills. Blair worked some passing situations with DeForest Buckner, Aaron Lynch, and Ahmad Brooks. Armstead likely will be in with Buckner in a lot of those situations, but a rotation that also includes Blair could be intriguing
Inside linebacker
The rotation continues next to NaVorro Bowman. One interesting note came in Barrows’s recap. Bowman met with the media after practice and said he thinks whomever starts the third preseason game next to him will be the guy who wins the job. The third preseason game is viewed as a dress rehearsal of sorts, so maybe that game will provide us with a lot of answers.