Top sights and sounds from 49ers practice
SANTA CLARA >> Fans saw the 49ers on their home turf for the first time since January 2020, even though COVID-19 precautions kept the soldout bleachers to a capacity of 600 to watch Wednesday’s first practice of training camp.
”It was awesome, even driving in and dabbing familiar guys out there. They were nervous but I wasn’t, I’m vaccinated,” coach Kyle Shanahan said.
No interaction was allowed between players and fans because of health protocols, but once the 80-minute practice ended, tight end George Kittle jogged over to applaud fans, and vice versa.
“We hadn’t seen fans in a while so it was great to see,” wide receiver Deebo Samuel said.
Samuel commended how quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance fared in the first practice. As correct as Samuel was, Shanahan couched the glowing reviews.
”We’ll just crown everybody today, before I even watch film and after five reps,” Shanahan quipped.
Lance was present after signing his contract (four years, $34.1 million) a couple hours before the morning session, a day after Shanahan remained steadfast that Garoppolo is their starting quarterback and no open competition awaits against Lance.
Defensive ends Nick Bosa (knee) and Dee Ford (back) weren’t participating in team drills but they looked healthy and active after not starting camp on injury lists after missing almost all of last season.
That helped fuel optimism about a second Super Bowl run in three seasons.
Here are initial observations from Wednesday’s practice:
QB WATCH >> Garoppolo looked in as control as ever, as to be expected entering his fourth camp. This practice was more about Lance’s debut — you only get one first impression at camp.
Lance provided a dazzling highlight when he dropped a 40-yard pass to Samuel in stride along the left sideline against Dontae Johnson, about an hour into practice and early in fullteam drills.
“It was just a go route, the corner(back) sat, I looked up and the ball was placed perfectly,” Samuel said.
Kittle had the catch of the day when he jumped higher than Kai Nacua on the sideline on a 30-yard toss from Lance.
Wearing a black No. 5 jersey with black shorts and red leggings, Lance often took warmup snaps next to Garoppolo and threw darts to an array of receivers trying to make the roster, as well as starters Brandon Aiyuk and Samuel.
Lance’s first pass in 11on-11 drills went off Aiyuk’s hands over the middle on a short route. Lance’s mobility showed later on rollouts as he rifled passes to tight end Mycole Pruitt.
Unofficial stats: Lance completed 7-of-10, Garoppolo 6-of-8.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk complimented how both quarterbacks made offschedule plays and how vital that is in today’s NFL.