Safety Ward progressing after breaking collarbone
Jimmie Ward is off the injured list, but not yet on the practice field.
The 49ers removed their projected starting free safety off the physically unable to perform list Tuesday, but they will ease him back into action after he broke his collarbone in May.
Ward participated in the team’s walkthrough Tuesday in a noncontact jersey before he observed practice. Ward’s latest ailment added to a lengthy medical file that includes broken bones that have landed him on seasonending injured reserve in four of his first five seasons.
If Ward can’t stay healthy this season, it appears Adrian
Colbert would step in for him. Colbert has been taking firstteam snaps in Ward’s absence, although Tarvarius Moore also played with the starters during Tuesday’s practice.
Moore, a cornerback last year as a rookie, was moved to free safety after Ward was injured in the spring. The 2018 thirdround pick also played free safety at Southern Miss.
“He’s been progressively getting better,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “He’s by no means even close to being an NFLready safety by Week 1 … He’s got a lot of things to clean up with regards to hesitating. He’s hesitating, which is expected — he’s still learning the position. He’s got to get the point where he’s not thinking about his job anymore and he can react and trigger.” Catching on: Wide receiver Richie James, a 2018 seventhround pick, has been making a case to stick in Santa Clara.
A day after catching a 60yard TD pass from Jimmy
Garoppolo, James had perhaps the grab of the day when he soared to collect a backshoulder throw from Nick
Mullens deep down the left sideline.
James also got wide open on two slants — earning a hand slap from wide receivers coach
Wes Welker after one slick route — although he couldn’t corral a high pass from C.J.
Beathard that ended practice. The 49ers will likely keep six wide receivers, and five appear to be strong candidates to make the team: Dante Pettis, Deebo Samuel, Trent Taylor, Jalen Hurd and Marquise Goodwin. James, Kendrick Bourne and Jordan Matthews could be competing for the final spot. Briefly: Pass rusher Dee Ford (quadriceps, finger), cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hand laceration) did not finish practice. Saleh indicated Witherspoon and Ford weren’t seriously injured. ... Fullback Kyle Juszczyk, whose foot was stepped on Monday, running back Jeff Wilson (calf ) and guard Joshua Garnett (finger) did not practice.