Defense has the upper hand early in camp
Armstead looks set for breakout season as an outside pass rusher
Aside from safety Eric Reid leaving with an ankle injury, defensive highlights dominated the 49ers’ first padded practice of training camp Sunday, through no real fault of quarterback Brian Hoyer, however.
Here are the top three observations from the two-hour session, in which general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan surprisingly invited the 200-plus fans in attendance to leave the newly installed bleachers to watch the final hour on the field:
1. SLIMMER ARIK ARMSTEAD DOMINATES >> Three would-be sacks Sunday showcased how well Arik Armstead is transitioning to the “Leo” role as an outside pass rusher. He enhanced his speed and versatility by trimming his 6-foot-7 frame down
to 275 pounds, the lightest he’s been since high school.
Two years after the 49ers drafted him in the first round (17th overall), Armstead looks on the verge of a breakout season, as was the case last training camp before aggravating a shoulder injury that dated back to high school. Armstead finally got the shoulder repaired (on his 23rd birthday, Nov. 15).
“My shoulder is intact, sound, not loose and I know is not going to pop out on me,” Armstead said. “It gives me confidence to use my shoulder in the ways I can. It gets better and better.”
Armstead’s marquee role comes with some dirty work, having to drop in coverage, as he did Sunday tracking Carlos Hyde in the flat and later hustling 20 yards downfield for a would-be tackle.
Aaron Lynch and Elvis Dumervil figure to rotate in at the “Leo” spot. Lynch reported to camp in good shape and had two wouldbe sacks Sunday (both against right tackle Trent Brown); Dumervil had one pseudo sack.
Center Daniel Kilgore said of Armstead and Lynch: “They put in the work, trimming down, losing weight. They’re going to be a force to reckon with.”
2. ROOKIE REUBEN FOSTER SHINES >> A repaired rotator cuff is causing rookie linebacker Reuben Foster “no problems,” and his early presence at camp sure is proof. For the second time in three days, Foster produced an interception and returned it for a would-be touchdown, this one coming against fellow rookie Nick Mullens.
“The ball’s got a thing for me. I don’t got a thing for the ball,” Foster said with a wide smile.
It might not be long until Foster is tried out on the first-string unit, where Malcolm Smith is lining up next to NaVorro Bowman, who, incidentally, looked solid in his return to pads and full contact for the first time since his Oct. 2 Achilles tear.
Foster looked tentative on a couple plays as he makes sure to fulfill his assignment. One of his tutors as he learns the NFL’s quicker pace is none other than Bowman, whose advice to Foster includes to stop leading with his head.
“I’m known for being head heavy, just going head first,” Foster said. “He’s teaching me about plays, what to look for in quarterbacks and offensive lines.”
3. SAFETY INJURIES ARE CONCERNING >> Losing starting safeties Reid and Jimmie Ward to injury so early in camp does not bode well for the secondary. Reid rolled his right ankle on the second snap of 11-on-11 drills, and although he briefly returned for the next series, he headed to the locker room with a trainer with 30 minutes remaining in practice.
Ward, who strained a hamstring Thursday, is not slated to return until mid-August, likely once the 49ers host the Denver Broncos for two practices before their Aug. 19 exhibition, Shanahan said.
Vinnie Sunseri replaced Reid next to Jaquiski Tartt, but other safeties who’ve fared well are undrafted rookies Lorenzo James and Chanceller James, who’ve each intercepted Matt Barkley the past two days.
• Hoyer completed nine consecutive passes early in practice, and his best pass resulted in a 60-yard touchdown to Goodwin on a post route against Dontae Johnson, who lined up as a firststring cornerback instead of Keith Reaser.
Hoyer and Shanahan are running a smooth operation, so far. “Brian’s been great,” said Kilgore, who’s taking the starting reps at center ahead of Jeremy Zuttah.
“The offensive linemen respect him,” Kilgore added of Hoyer. “He has a presence and takes over the huddle. Good leader on the field. … And he’s done a good job throwing the deep ball a couple times.”
• Rookie C.J. Beathard, rather than Barkley, initially lined up with the second-string offense. Both quarterbacks were 7 of 10 in team drills. Their flaws: Beathard holds onto the ball longer, while Barkley had an interception after a nice completion to Kendrick Bourne.
• Linebacker Jimmy Gilbert appeared to tweak an ankle.
• Shanahan said the starting offensive line is not set even though it’s come out featuring Kilgore (center), Brown (right tackle), left tackle Joe Staley, left guard Joshua Garnett and left guard Brandon Fusco.