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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
Tim Kawakami of The Athletic wrote Trey Lance “won’t fail for lack of confidence, talent or QB savvy. He hasn’t looked confused a single time that I’ve noticed. Lance has thrown some errant passes, to be sure. He has had to run for his life against the 49ers’ vaunted pass rush in practice and on Thursday against the Texans’ less-than-vaunted defensive line. But Lance has never looked skittish. He’s never seemed over his head. His arm talent is obvious.” After their final preseason game, the Athletic’s Matt Barrows and David Lombardi projected Lance and Nate Sudfeld as the lone quarterbacks to make the 53-man roster. The projection included cuts of Brock Purdy and Jimmy Garoppolo. The team will need to decide on Garoppolo before his salary of 24.2 million dollars vests on September 10th. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said there are no trade suitors at this point for Garoppolo, and the team must either cut or find a way to keep him on the roster. Shanahan was noncommittal about keeping three quarterbacks, saying, “It’s always hard, but it’s something you debate every year and something we’ll debate this year. It’s not just the quarterbacks. It’s how it plays out at other positions.
Running Backs
In the final preseason game, the 49ers played Jeff Wilson for the first time in the preseason. He started, which is consistent with the offseason long projection he would be the primary backup to Elijah Mitchell. Mitchell has been out with a hamstring injury, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he expected Mitchell to be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season. When Wilson exited after the second series, the order of priority in the game was Trey Sermon, Jordan Mason, JaMycal Hasty, and Tyrion Davis-Price. During the preseason game, commentator Al Michaels mentioned that Sermon was on the roster bubble, which could be an insight from the team in pregame production meetings. Sermon ran for 20 yards on eight carries, accounting for one-third of the team’s carries during the first preseason game. GM John Lynch was interviewed in the pre-game and said that Sermon struggled with interior running in 2021, adding, “So we really challenged Trey to do that. He worked really hard, and he’s had a tremendous offseason. It hasn’t shown up in the games, but throughout training camp, he’s been one of our best players. So, we’re excited about him.” The Athletic projected Mitchell, Wilson, Sermon, and Davis-Price to make the team. Grant Cohn of SI.com noted that Jordan Mason has had the best offseason of the 49ers running backs and could make the roster cut difficult.
Wide Receivers
Brandon Aiyuk has consistently stood out in training camp, while Deebo Samuel has rounded into form after a slow start. The Athletic projected Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Danny Gray as locks for the 53-man roster. There is a potential that the team keeps the sixth, who competes on training camp, with Malik Turner being the leading candidate. Cohn reported during the week that Jennings was expected to be the WR3 in the offense entering the season but has been outplayed by Ray-Ray McCloud throughout training camp. Notably, Cohn said Jennings has battled drops throughout the offseason.
Tight Ends
The Athletic projected the 49ers to keep three tight ends, George Kittle, Charlie Woerner, and Ross Dwelley. Kittle has been healthy and should feature as a prominent role in the 49ers offense this offseason. Tyler Kroft has had a good camp, so the team may keep four tight ends.
Defense
Jimmie Ward suffered a hamstring injury that will force him to IR for the start of the season. He will be forced to sit out the season's first four games.
Returners
This offseason, the 49ers signed Ray-Ray McCloud, long-time return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers, to shore up a special teams unit that had cycled through several players in recent years.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
Trey Lance has struggled some as a passer during camp. During joint practices with the Vikings, he was 23 of 33 in full team situations and through joint practices with the Lions, Texans, and the first preseason game, Lance was 43 of 61, good for a 70.5% completion percentage. However, according to Grant Cohn at SI.com, Lance “seems to sail at least one short pass to the flat every practice,” and “he must be more precise when he throws over the middle. Otherwise, he will throw picks galore this season.” George Kittle was hesitant about Lance’s short passing game, saying, “I think there’s been a lot of hits, and there’s been some misses. I mean, it’s nothing I’m worried about.” Kittle added, “[Last season] One of my first 5-yard routes (with him), he threw it at my head and tried to take my helmet off. Now he’s showing some nice touch. He’s gotten so much better than when he first got here, and he’s going to continue to improve.” Jimmy Garoppolo is still working out on the side of practice and is not expected to be part of the 49ers team unless something unforeseen happens injury-wise during the offseason. Nate Sudfeld and Brock Purdy are competing for the backup spot.
Running Backs
Elijah Mitchell has missed two weeks of practice with a hamstring injury. The backup situation includes a competition between Jeff Wilson, Trey Sermon, and Tyrion Davis-Price. Grant Cohn of SI.com noted Davis-Price “got lots of carries with the starters, and almost started two fights -- he finishes every run with a big collision, so he annoys defensive players. The 49ers love this about Davis-Price. He's not an agile runner, but the 49ers can create space for him with perimeter runs and screen passes, and he can make big plays.” Sermon also hobbled off the field during the week during practice, but that did not hinder his ability to play in the team’s second preseason game. Sermon started and had five carries but struggled as the offense sputtered early. With Mitchell and Wilson both out of the game, the rotation of Sermon, Hasty, and Davis-Price is instructive on how the team sees the backfield. Sermon played ahead of the others, but each had a touch on the first drive. Davis-Price got more extended work, leading the team in carries with 10. Sermon, Hasty, and Davis-Price each caught a ball, with Hasty finding the end zone on his lone reception. Jordan Mason led the team in rushing yards with 57 yards on 9 carries.
Wide Receivers
According to Cohn, Deebo Samuel has not caught a deep pass thus far in the offseason. Brandon Aiyuk continues to receive positive reviews, with multiple reports calling him the best player in camp for the 49ers. According to David Lombardi at the Athletic, the 49ers are expected to have locks on the roster of Samuel, Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Danny Gray, and Ray-Ray McCloud. Malik Turner is in competition to make the roster as the sixth wide receiver, particularly with his ability to contribute on special teams. Gray missed a couple of days of practice during the week but returned to practice and managed to beat Patrick Peterson deep during joint practices. Gray also played in the second preseason game, catching two passes for 24 yards. Gray should have a role as the field stretcher of the offense during the season. Aiyuk and Samuel were both held out of the team’s second preseason game.
Tight Ends
George Kittle is locked into the starting tight end role in the 49ers offense, but much is unsettled after Kittle. Charlie Woerner is still limited to individual drills in practice, which has given Tanner Hudson, Ross Dwelley, and Tyler Kroft as the leading contenders to make the roster behind Kittle and Woerner. Kroft and Dwelley played early in the second preseason game, while Hudson played into the late second half and led the team in receiving yards (43) and receptions (5).
Defense
Nick Bosa was positive about fellow defensive end Kemoko Turay’s performance in the first preseason game. Bosa said, “I actually was flipping through the channel in our hotel room and our game was on, and he popped off on the TV copy definitely. I think he’s shown he plays our style of football and that he’s a game player. Not that he doesn’t show up in practice, but when the lights come on he shows up even more. It’s something you can’t really teach, and he’s got that.” 2020 first-round pick Javon Kinlaw drew praise for his slimmed-down physique and performance during the second preseason game.
Offensive Line
The team has had to replace several starters on the interior, but they found a gem in fourth-round rookie Spencer Burford (UTSA). Burford has been an instant fit in the outside zone scheme and is on track to win the starting right guard job. Left tackle Trent Williams remains the best lineman in the game, and Mike McGlinchey is solid on the other side. The 49ers have a quality line. It is a testament to the program (and Williams' dominance) that they can replace three starters and remain in the top 10 rankings.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, through 10 days of practice, Trey Lance had a completion percentage of 50% (65-of-130). After a difficult practice, Brandon Aiyuk said of Lance, “The best thing about Trey: He walked off the practice field and was still the exact same way today. He talked about it. Talked to us after a couple plays he wished he had back. Talked to us the same way as if he were to hit a play. What he saw, what he didn’t see, what he liked.” Grant Cohn of SI.com summed up Lance’s camp by saying, “Clearly Lance is a smart quarterback who learns from his mistakes. He's also inaccurate at times and tends to miss at least one open running back in the flat per day.” Lance started the first preseason game and led a scoring drive, going 4 for 5 through the air, including a deep ball to Danny Gray for a touchdown. Lance’s accuracy issues did show up when he missed Gray along the boundary on an out route and took a sack on interior pressure. Jimmy Garoppolo has been working out on the side of the field, with staff members serving as receivers. According to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic, “Garoppolo was absolutely rifling the ball. It’s about as good as I’ve seen him throw it.” Kyle Shanahan noted Garoppolo is “trying to get his body ready for hopefully the next situation he goes into” and has not been participating in any meetings by Garoppolo’s choice. Matt Barrows of The Athletic said he thinks the only way Garoppolo reworks his deal and decides to say with the team is if Trey Lance or Nate Sudfeld gets injured. Sudfeld showed well in the first preseason game, hitting a long touchdown pass to Ray-Ray McCloud. Sudfeld played ahead of Brock Purdy, who threw a touchdown pass late in the first preseason game.
Running Backs
Starter Elijah Mitchell has missed time with a hamstring strain and was held out of the first preseason game. Jeff Wilson and Tyrion Davis-Price have “popped pads with physical runs” in practice throughout the week. UDFA Jordan Mason has had a good training camp and “been more consistent than Davis-Price in the passing game,” according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. JaMycal Hasty has been explosive in practice, and according to Grant Cohn at SI.com, “Hasty is making it extremely difficult for the 49ers to release him. He's too explosive to be on a practice squad. The Rams or Cardinals should claim him if he hits waivers.” Cohn also put the running back depth chart hierarchy as Mitchell, Wilson, Trey Sermon, and Tyrion Davis-Price. Wilson missed the first 49ers preseason game with a personal matter which gave Sermon the start. He played all 11 snaps that Lance was in the game but only managed 11 yards on 6 carries. Davis-Price was the leading rusher on the game, with 10 carries, and tied for the team-high with 36 yards, playing behind Sermon.
Wide Receivers
Matt Barrows of The Athletic said Brandon Aiyuk is “having the kind of offseason Samuel had a year ago.” Cohn also said, "Aiyuk has been the 49ers’ best offensive skilled player every day in camp.” Barrows listed Deebo Samuel, Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Danny Gray as the five wide receivers most likely to be kept on the roster. Cohn said Deebo Samuel has struggled to get on the same page with Lance during training camp and looks 5-10 pounds overweight. Aiyuk and Samuel sat out the first preseason game, which opened an opportunity for rookie Danny Gray, who showed off his speed with a 76-yard receiving touchdown. With the second team offense, Ray-Ray McCloud caught a 39-yard touchdown on a deep post. McCloud later had a lost fumble. McCloud can play on special teams and return kicks, giving him the versatility to be valuable on the end of the roster.
Tight Ends
Charlie Woerner had a core muscle tear this offseason and has yet to participate in training camp. Woerner’s health will impact Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft, who are fighting to make the roster. According to Matt Barrows of The Athletic, “Kroft is the biggest and best blocker of the group after Kittle. He’d be an asset in the running game and would seem to fit their bulked-up ethos for 2022.” George Kittle has been healthy and was held out of the first preseason game to preserve him for week one. Cohn also said Dwelley should make the final roster because he is “too good to cut.” Kroft (8 first-team snaps) and Dwelley (7 first-team snaps) split work with the first-team offense.
Defense
According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, the defense recorded 16 interceptions through 10 days after only intercepting 11 balls through the 2021 camp. Defensive Tackle Maurice Hurst suffered a torn bicep and will miss the season. Rookie Samuel Womack intercepted two passes in the first preseason game, which will help his battle for the nickel corner spot.
Returners
This offseason, the 49ers signed Ray-Ray McCloud, a long-time return specialist for the Pittsburgh Steelers, to shore up a special teams unit that had cycled through several players in recent years.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
“We have moved on to Trey Lance. This is Trey's team.” These words from Head Coach Kyle Shanahan as good as officially closed the books on the Jimmy Garoppolo era in San Francisco, as the 49ers have given Garoppolo permission to seek a trade. Lance was the subject of offseason rumors focusing on his development and arm fatigue, but the 49ers' brain trust sees enough in him to go all in on their investment from the 2021 draft class. Lance struggled early in training camp as he was kept off balance by the pass rush that overwhelmed his offensive line. For example, through three days, Lance was 15 of 32 in team drills. However, Lance got better as camp progressed, especially considering more being revealed about his offseason work. His throwing coach Adam Dedeaux said the broken finger Lance suffered in the preseason last year hurt his mechanics, “this offseason was about getting as healthy as possible because we couldn’t really address his mechanics until he was fully healthy.” John Lynch noted the decision to name Lance the starter was Shanahan’s, but the team’s decision was made after “OTAs and all of that, [when] he really just asserted himself.” Nate Sudfeld s working as the second quarterback ahead of rookie Brock Purdy, with nearly twice the reps Purdy took throughout the week.
Running Backs
Elijah Mitchell bulked up to his target weight of 211, up from his rookie season. According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, Elijah Mitchell “continues to look like the clear-cut No.1 option at RB.” Nick Wagoner of ESPN noted that rookie Tyrion Davis-Price has “perhaps, the two things most important in this run scheme: physicality and decisiveness. He picks his hole and hits it. Have to think he's gonna carve out a role quickly.” During the intrasquad scrimmage, Trey Sermon and Davis-Price got work, but Jeffrey Wilson got carries with the first-team offense after Mitchell.
Wide Receivers
Deebo Samuel began training camp as a hold in while he waited for a contract extension. Samuel’s tactic worked as he signed a three-year extension worth a maximum of 73.5 million dollars, with 58.1 million dollars guaranteed. This ranks Samuel in the top 6 of wide receiver spending in average contract per year. According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, Trey Lance and Samuel are “still working through timing, especially on deep balls. Lance sailed one well over his head during team drills (Samuel was also well covered). The two spent time after practice working on just that.” Albert Breer of NFL.com, the development of Elijah Mitchell, Tyrion Davis-Price, and Trey Sermon “should mean Deebo is back to [his] old role” as a primary receiver. Head coach Kyle Shanahan was complimentary of Brandon Aiyuk at the opening of camp. Shanahan said, “I’m impressed how Aiyuk has carried himself. I think everyone knows how it started off last year. He was a little bit behind where I wanted him, and he accepted the challenge and handled it like a man and got so much better and just went to work.” Breer also noted that Aiyuk is in phenomenal shape. Kyle Shanahan was also complimentary of third-round rookie Danny Gray saying, “I’ve really been impressed with (Gray) that every time we get on him for something, the next day he responds. He doesn’t feel sorry for himself. He doesn’t think we’re picking on him. He hears us, he listens, and he goes out, and he usually (improves) the next day.” Jauan Jennings is struggling with drop issues during training camp. Jennings is competing for a roster spot with others, including Ray-Ray McCloud, who is shining through the first week of camp. The team also added Willie Snead as a depth option.
Tight Ends
This year’s training camp has been relatively quiet for George Kittle, a good sign for the entrenched star. With Kittle given an off day over the weekend, Tyler Kroft worked as the starting tight end in his absence. Reserve Charlie Woerner is on the PUP list.
Defense
Arik Armstead suffered a sprained knee during the first week of camp practices and will miss a few weeks. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said, “It’s nothing we’re too concerned about, but it will take him some time away. He thought it was just a bruise because it didn’t bother him that bad, but it was hurting him a little after, then got the MRI, so we’ve got to hold him out a little bit.” Armstead began running on the side during practice after only a week of rest, a good sign for his return. Edge Defender Dee Ford was also released. Ford was acquired for a second-round pick in 2019 but played less than 400 snaps in three seasons since signing his five-year contract. Through four practices, the 49ers defense tallied 10 interceptions, compared to 11 total in 15 practices last year. Defensive Tackle Maurice Hurst suffered a torn biceps and is expected to miss an extended amount of time.
