49ers training camp recap, 8/2: Carlos Hyde trucks Ahkello Witherspoon, top plays of the day

The San Francisco 49ers opened up their second week of training camp with their third practice with pads after one day off. The day started off with the usual warm ups and position drills and then a few new elements were added. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay for the entire practice but I did see the first portion of team drills. Here’s what I saw, and a little bit of what other people reported after I left.

Injury report

Eric Reid and George Kittle returned to individual drills. While I did get video of Reid in positional work, I did not get any of Kittle. Reid is below:

Eli Harold (head), Keith Reaser(knee) and Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) remained sidelined for the day.

During positional drills rookie DB Zach Franklin landed funny and tweaked his ankle. He was attended to by trainers after limping off the field and did not return. Below is the drill where it happened. Franklin is the last player in the video to catch the ball.

Defensive linemen DeForest Buckner injured his ankle after I left practice, as reported by all of the media in attendance. He was attended to by trainers, had it taped up, but did not return.

Veteran Elvis Dumervil was given the day off from the physical portion of practice.

Top plays and observations of the day

Carlos Hyde takes the first of the first team reps

The first reps at running back on the previous day of practice were taken by Tim Hightower. Did it mean anything? Well, Carlos Hyde taking the first reps of the second week may be your answer. Both backs took equal reps in the first portion of the team drills.

NaVorro Bowman makes himself heard

Bowman has been quietly working away throughout camp with Malcolm Smith at his side. Things, however, were not so quiet when the linebacker stood up Carlos Hyde on his second carry of the day. Many of the beat writers near me let out an “OH” when the collision happened.

Dontae Johnson picks off Matt Barkley

Brian Hoyer threw a ball 15 yards to the left side of the field just within reach of Jeremy Kerley’s finger tips. Unfortunately, for him, Johnson reached over Kerley to snatch the ball for himself, creating Hoyer’s first interception of training camp.

Adrian Colbert intercepts Matt Barkley

Barkley threw the ball deep to the right side of the field where there wasn’t an intended receiver due to miscommunication. Colbert took advantage of the situation and came down with the ball.

Ahmad Brooks still has what it takes

Another great defensive play today was made by Brooks who tipped a pretty well thrown ball, intended for Vance McDonald. Brooks’ hand reached out just enough to keep it out of the tight end’s hands.

Marquise Goodwin isn’t just for speed

Goodwin continues to be all over field running various routes, not just the deep ones. For every long catch, there's a short one in the flat. He easily gets open in when he runs deep and is fast and accurate enough to get open a few yards from the line of scrimmage.

The defense continues to make plays

Although there isn’t supposed to be “live hitting” in practice, there were several collisions that caused some shouting from the sidelines. Notable hits were made by Malcolm Smith on Hightower, D.J. Jones on Kapri Bibbs, Reuben Foster on Raheem Mostert, and a combined sandwiching of McDonald by Vinnie Sunseri and Lorenzo Jerome. It was enough that Reid and Jimmie Ward should have been proud.

All of the above observation were in regular 11-on-11 drills.

Carlos Hyde trucks Ahkello Witherspoon

After I left practice there was much chatter from the media about this play. Like the Buckner injury noted above, I would give credit to the colleague that wrote about it first, but they all did. Hyde ran five yards for a touchdown and the only person in his way was Witherspoon. Hyde put his shoulder down, ran through him and flexed in celebration.

Trent Taylor with the toe tapper

I think you simply need to watch the video. No description needed.

The 49ers return to practice on August 3rd at 10:15 a.m. I will not be in attendance, but Tracy Sandler will have an eye on things. I will return on Friday and again on Saturday for the practice at Levi’s Stadium. There are still tickets available for the open practice where food and drinks will be provided. If you’re interested in attending, click here.