The San Francisco 49ers continued their second week of training camp with their fifth padded practice. I would say the defense won the practice but the offense still showed some spark. The usual suspects were standouts at practice as the team went through their typical training camp routine.
Injury report
George Kittle and Keith Reaser participated in individual drills but not team drills. DeForest Buckner (ankle), Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) and Donavin Newsome (neck) did not participate in practice and are all listed as day to day. Brock Coyle (rib), J.P. Flynn (knee), Zach Franklin (ankle), Eli Harold (concussion) are all listed as out.
Aaron Lynch was absent from practice for the birth of his second son. It was unexpected as his wife was only seven months pregnant. Reports from the hospital are positive.
Tim Hightower and Ahmad Brooks had ‘veteran’ days off.
Carlos Hyde takes the first rep with the first team
There was a little bit of a debate when Hightower took the first rep with the first team a few practices ago, but since then it’s been the Hyde show at the beginning of practice.
Getting their shot
With Hightower taking a day off, Kapri Bibbs took over his reps with the first team and had a few decent runs. Dekoda Watson spent time at SAM for Brooks as did Pita Taumoepenu. Ronald Blair saw the field more in place of Lynch.
Trent Taylor looks like a natural
It seems there’s nothing this guy can’t do. The 49ers twitter feed is full of his toe tapping sidelines catches and the rookie wide receiver had another one today. He also had a circus catch on a ball that was almost in his hands, tipped by Reuben Foster and finally pulled in for a completion.
More of @Trent5Taylor doing Trent Taylor things today at #49ersCamp. pic.twitter.com/7D2GZDmR8O
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 5, 2017
Joe Williams gets in football shape
The rookie running back has been starting to show his ability in practice. Kyle Shanahan thought he had the best practice yet on Thursday and is continuing to improve. The running back admitted that he wasn't in good football shape when he arrived at the facility for OTAs, he was in combine shape. Williams stayed and worked out with strength and conditioning coach Ray Wright during the break as did Aaron Lynch and it has helped his performance.
Ahkello Witherspoon has a bit of a comeback
This was a top play of the day runner up. After so much press on getting trucked by Hyde in the end zone, Witherspoon had a little bit of redemption with a great PBU of a Hoyer pass intended for Pierre Garçon.
Hoyer was looking for Garçon but rookie CB @ahhh_kello says ❌ pic.twitter.com/cWo5aGlDaK
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 5, 2017
The practice structure
There were the typical calisthenics and individual drills followed by 11-on-11s. They returned to a teaching period and special teams work before a “move the ball drill.” Move the ball is an 11-on-11 two minute offense type of drill. Unlike the previous practice there was no 7-on-7 or red zone work.
Practices have been lasting approximately two hours. The open practice at Levi’s stadium, will be longer, lasting about three hours. Shanahan said the structure will be very similar to the practices we’ve seen but possibly more move the ball drills and less individual work.