Ward appreciates what Baalke did
Free safety Jimmie Ward is one of three remaining 49ers draft picks made by former general manager Trent Baalke, who now has the same role with the Jaguars.
On Sunday, Ward, the No. 30 pick in 2014, could reconnect with Baalke when the 49ers visit Jacksonville. Ward indicated he hadn't communicated with Baalke since the former 49ers GM was fired after the 2016 season.
“I haven't kept in touch, but I'd like to thank him again for drafting me,” Ward said. “Drafted me in the first round. I don't know what his options were — the 30th pick. I appreciate the opportunity. I'm still here. And no one else that was a GM drafted me earlier than that. So got to give him credit. Got to love him up.”
In December 2015, near the end of Jim Tomsula's one-season tenure as a head coach, Baalke periodically began giving Ward and safety Jaquiski Tartt, then a rookie, coaching tips during practice.
“That's never good,” Ward said Thursday. “When the GM comes down there, something's going on. And we saw what happened.”
After leaving the 49ers, Baalke, 57, spent three seasons working for the NFL as an operations consultant. He joined the Jaguars last year as their director of player personnel before he became their interim general manager when Dave Caldwell was fired during the season. Ward, Tartt and defensive lineman Arik Armstead are the remaining draft picks made by Baalke on the 49ers' roster.
Baalke, of course, was replaced by John Lynch, a Hall of Fame safety who had a 15-season NFL career. It was noted to Ward that the 49ers' current GM also has offered him some coaching pointers.
“Trent never played, right?” Ward said of Baalke, who was a linebacker at Bemidji State University. “John played and has a gold jacket. You can't keep John off the field. John, probably, still wants to play. (But) he doesn't say too much.”
Warm greeting: Ward is coming off a two-interception performance in Monday's 31-10 win over the Rams, returning one of those picks for a 27-yard touchdown. He was asked about the postgame message he received from Lynch.
“He gave me a nice handshake with a hug,” Ward said. “That must mean I did something right. John doesn't hug
after handshakes often.”
Injury report: Rookie running back Elijah Mitchell (finger) remained sidelined two days after he had surgery in which a pin was inserted in a broken finger on his right hand. Mitchell, whose hand was protected by a bandage, wore a con-contact jersey while stretching on the side at the start of practice.
Running back JaMycal Hasty (ankle) also didn't practice. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shin), cornerback Josh Norman (rib) and offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (knee) were limited.
Samuel said he would play Sunday: “Just had a shin contusion, so just taking it slow. But we'll be ready.”