49ers Training Camp Takeaways: Brock Doesn’t Look Like Purdy on Day 17 Originally Appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — Things are moving faster now for the 49ers during what has generally been a quiet training camp.
After holding their 17th practice of training camp on Friday, the 49ers will complete their usual pre-game lap on Saturday.
The 49ers play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium and conclude their preseason with a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, August 23.
Here are the key points from Friday’s training:
Purdy’s ups and downs day
We don’t get caught up in training camp statistics and it’s always said that quarterbacks try to push their limits during training.
Brock Purdy said one of his focuses was to push the ball down the field Friday. But he appeared to make several throws that seemed ill-advised, regardless of the setting.
He also had his moments with some nice moments, including a play he described during his post-practice press conference. Purdy talked about a play called “Pur-Dog” in which he caught a downfield pass.
Purdy had a day on Thursday where the ball rarely hit the ground during practice. Things weren’t quite as sharp today, starting with Ji’Ayir Brown’s break-up on a pitch intended for Deebo Samuel.
He had a couple of plays that didn’t look like Purdy. On one play, he was under pressure and backed up. He threw a pass down the right sideline into coverage that had a better chance of being intercepted than of scoring a completion.
Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir intercepted the ball while covering Samuel.
Later, Purdy made his best throw of the day when he threw a beautiful deep pass to Jauan Jennings with Lenoir and safety George Odum guarding him.
Cowing makes a number of grips
Wide receiver Jacob Cowing, a 2024 fourth-round draft pick, was limited early in training camp because of a hamstring injury. He had his best day of the summer on Friday with a pair of receptions.
His best play came when he ran a deep corner route and made a clean catch on a pass from Josh Dobbs against the zone coverage of linebacker Curtis Robinson and defensive backs Rock Ya-Sin, Tayler Hawkins and Jaylen Mahoney.
“He’s done well,” Shanahan said of Cowing. “He’s had some injuries, so this was his first full week without any setbacks. It’s always tough at the beginning, but he’s gotten better every day. Hopefully he gets a lot of playing time in the game and he can come through, get the experience and keep piling those days on.”
“We’ve had some rookies who’ve played a lot in training camp and done really well with their opportunity.”
Shanahan is pleased with what he’s seen from the rookies so far 💪 photo.twitter.com/TQABn9o2jv
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) August 16, 2024
Cowings’ speed (4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash) and where the 49ers selected him suggests he’s a contender for the roster, along with Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk (assuming he stays with the team), Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. The 49ers could keep an extra receiver or two on the 53-man roster.
McCaffrey accelerates rehabilitation
Shanahan expects several of the team’s regulars to see limited action during the 49ers’ exhibition game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
Of course, that list doesn’t include running back Christian McCaffrey, who is still recovering from a minor injury to his left calf. McCaffrey has been out for 10 days and will not play in any of the team’s three preseason games.
However, McCaffrey will have a lot of work to do with physical therapy, running and catching passes on a side field.
Meanwhile, the 49ers are short on running backs, with McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and rookie Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) sitting out most of training camp.
Jordan Mason could see limited playing time the rest of the preseason, as Matt Breida and Cody Schrader continue to see significant action, along with Patrick Taylor Jr. and Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Rotating attack line
Right tackle Colton McKivitz is the only projected starter along the offensive line who has not missed playing time due to injury (or absence).
Left guard Aaron Banks is the latest to be sidelined. He was injured Thursday and underwent surgery Friday morning for a broken pinky, coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Nick Zakelj, who started at center in the 49ers’ season opener, was assigned to left guard during practice Friday. Zakelj positions himself to play backup roles at both center and guard. Ben Bartch, who missed practice with a knee injury, is also in the running for a backup role.
“I think Zakelj probably plays a little bit better,” 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster said. “Center was a better fit for him and guard was probably a better fit for Bartch.”
Rookie Dominick Puni is making the most of the extra training time he’s gotten at right guard, as Jon Feliciano (knee) and Spencer Burford (hand) were sidelined for most of training camp due to injuries.
Pearsall is back at work
There are 24 days left until the 49ers open the regular season, which appears to give starting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall plenty of time to be ready after suffering a shoulder injury on Aug. 6.
When asked if he believed Pearsall would be on the field when the 49ers open the season, Shanahan replied, “I hope so. We’ll see when he gets back and where he is.”
While his teammates were doing an attack-versus-defense drill, Pearsall was on the sidelines doing an intense workout, running the entire route and catching a series of passes from goal line to goal line.
“We’ve got another week of camp, and then two more weeks,” Shanahan said. “That’s plenty of time. He can run and do all those things and keep going.”
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