Time running out for Jalen Hurd to prove he belongs on team
No matter how many coaches, teammates and 49ers fans have fantasized about Jalen Hurd as an X-factor over the past two years, that dream is no closer to becoming reality.
The 49ers went another practice Tuesday without Hurd, and the oft-injured wide receiver is not positioning himself to make the roster out of training camp.
“It hurts (his chances),” coach Kyle Shanahan said of Hurd’s absence Tuesday. “I know he’s battling back from a serious injury. We know the potential he has, the upside, and how much we think he can help us.
“But he’s got to show that. There’s not a lot of time left.”
Hurd is a year removed from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, and two years removed from his exhibition debut that featured two touchdown catches against the Dallas Cowboys that created enormous expectations.
Having missed his rookie year with a back injury and last year in ACL rehab, Hurd was being brought along gradually the first two weeks of camp. He hasn’t worn a brace on his rebuilt knee, but he also hasn’t made many plays.
He debuted in full-team drills last Tuesday, and among his ensuing cameos, he totaled just one reception in a few snaps Friday. He participated in Saturday’s position drills at Levi’s Stadium, then familiarly vanished.
While Hurd continues to do individual conditioning, it’s clear coaches wish they had him in practice.
“We want to be smart with him. I know some things were bothering him today,” Shanahan said. “Hopefully he can get in a groove where he has a chance to go play some football and give himself a chance to make this team.”
Wide receiver coach Wes Welker issued a similar decree Monday about Hurd’s diminishing roster chances.
“He’s a smart guy and understands the plays and all that stuff.
But you can know it all you want. If you don’t practice, it’s just really hard to make our football team.
“It’s really tough for us coaches to trust anybody that can’t practice,” Welker added. “We’ll see where he’s at health wise. Obviously, his health is the most important thing for us. But you have to get reps. If you don’t … “
Nick Bosa is also coming off an ACL reconstruction and has yet to join team drills, but he’s stayed on a prescribed work schedule of skipping every third practice in favor of weight room work. The 49ers know what Bosa can do (2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year). As for Hurd, a 2019 third-round pick, he remains a mystery and almost mythical figure at this point.
Notes
• Shanahan was not ready to announce how his quarterback rotation will go or if Jimmy Garoppolo will play in Saturday’s exhibition opener against Kansas City.
Garoppolo didn’t sound like he’s in need of reps, even after missing 72 percent of last season’s because of an ankle injury. He made a cameo in the 2018 preseason opener, did not play in the 2019 edition and there was no exhibition schedule last year.
“Whatever the coaches decide, they decide. I’m pretty happy with where I’m at, trending in the right direction,” Garoppolo said. Garoppolo completed 12-of22 passes in Tuesday’s team practice that included red zone and hurry-up drills.
Shanahan commended Garoppolo’s footwork entering this season: “He has as quick of a release as probably there is on the planet, so sometimes he doesn’t have perfect footwork and can get away with it,” Shanahan said. “But it’s a matter of time before it catches up to you. He’s been as detailed in that area (this preseason) as he’s (ever) been.”
• Garoppolo defended center Alex Mack, who’s been a perspiration sensation, which has led to a few slippery footballs and fumbled snaps this training camp.
“It definitely makes it difficult if you’re not ready for it,” Garoppolo said. “I’ve learned through my career how to deal with it.
“The best way I can describe it: You’re playing in a dry game and all of a sudden it’s a rain game when you get the snap.”
• Cornerback Emmanuel Moseley
intercepted a Garoppolo pass for a potential pick-six in a goalline drill with the clock expiring. -- Trey Lance (9-of-16) again showed off his deep-ball prowess by hitting Trent Sherfield in stride again for a 45-yard completion. Lance completed touchdown passes to Brandon Aiyuk and Mohamed Sanu early in redzone work but struggled later in drills.
• Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (concussion) and safety Tony Jefferson (groin, hamstring) are sidelined, and safety Jaquisk Tartt (toe) is coming along slowly, Shanahan said. Defensive linemen Arik Armstead (groin) and Samson Ebukam (possibly knee) remain out of practice but are doing individual conditioning.
• With Jefferson and Tartt ailing, the 49ers are to work out Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Clayton Geathers, Bradley McDougald and Andrew Sendejo, ESPN’s Field Yates reported.
• Defensive end Shilique Calhoun, formerly of the Raiders, and cornerback Alexander Myres signed one-year deals. Waived were cornerback Mark Fields II and offensive lineman Isaiah Williams.