49ers training camp recap: Injuries loom over exciting Day 10

The San Francisco 49ers have mostly avoided the injury bug so far at training camp. Outside of some small nicks and bruises, the team has managed to stay mostly healthy through the first nine practices. A pair of injury scares on Wednesday threatened to end the 49ers’ luck.

Nick Bosa, the team’s No. 2 overall pick this year, seemed to have been rolled up on during the team’s 11-on-11 portion of practice, laying at the bottom of a pile of players. Bosa remained on the ground for a few minutes, cradling his lower leg or ankle as the 49ers medical staff evaluated the defensive lineman. Bosa eventually got up and walked off the practice field under his own power along with trainers back to the facility.

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said after practice that he expected Bosa to be “alright.” He also had no word on cornerback Jason Verrett, who left practice early with an injury as well. The 49ers added Verrett in the offseason on a one-year deal as he attempts to come back from a torn Achilles suffered during last year’s training camp. He’s competing with Ahkello Witherspoon for the starting spot opposite Richard Sherman.

Beyond the injuries, it was an eventful day for the 49ers offense. A portion of the team period of practice was devoted to the red zone. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo lit up the defense, throwing four touchdowns in a row - two to tight end George Kittle and two to receiver Trent Taylor. On one pass, Garoppolo rolled left and fired a pass toward the back left corner of the end zone. The ball flew just out of reach of linebacker Fred Warner into Taylor’s waiting arms as he slid to the turf. It was an impressive showing for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.

The day’s final two-minute drill was a different story, with success belonging to second-string quarterback Nick Mullens. The offense quickly moved down the field with the assistance of backup tight end Ross Dwelley. The second-year undrafted free agent was targeted by Mullens four times on the drive, including the final touchdown pass at the front of the end zone. Dwelley has established himself as the primary option behind George Kittle.

The first-string offense didn’t fare as well in their two minutes. After two short completions to Kittle and running back Tevin Coleman, Garoppolo targeted Kittle over the middle on third down. Linebacker Fred Warner broke on the ball and deflected the pass into the air toward the secondary. Sherman was in perfect position, reeling in the deflection for the interception. It was the final play of practice. Garoppolo said afterward that Sherman jokingly let him hear about it while the quarterback was talking to his family after practice.

Notes

• Running back Jerick McKinnon was again held out of the majority of practice as he makes his return from a torn ACL suffered during last year’s training camp. McKinnon participated in individual drills but will be held out of team periods for the time being. He’s not likely to play in the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday at Levi’s Stadium.
• Defensive lineman Arik Armstead wasn’t on the team’s injury report at the start of the day but didn’t participate in practice due to an apparent calf injury. The severity of the injury or return timetable is undetermined.
• Players that didn’t participate: - DL Ronald Blair (groin), DL Dee Ford (knee), DL Jamell Garcia-Williams (concussion), G Joshua Garnett (finger), LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring), CB K’Waun Williams (knee) RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (calf)
• The 49ers return for their 11th practice of training camp on Thursday, beginning at 10:15 am PST.