Niners Nation
General manager John Lynch gave updates on Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings’ injury timelines on KNBR. He said he doesn’t expect Aiyuk for Week 1 while Jennings has “no timetable” to return for the matchup with Seattle.
Before today’s joint practice with the Denver Broncos, the San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour and the release of cornerback Eli Apple. The team got a boost in practice with the return of DE Nick Bosa and FB Kyle Juszczyk. Former 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw did not practice. S Ji’Ayir Brown did not return to practice.
Let’s get into winners and losers from today’s joint practice.
WINNERS
Jordan Watkins
The rookie received rave reviews for his play Thursday, with some calling it his best session of training camp so far. Watkins won a one-on-one rep against CB Joshua Pickett for a long touchdown.
With what was considered an up-and-down day for the 49ers offense facing off against a top-two defense, Watkins was one of, if not the most consistent, 49ers receiver today. Watkins also punctuated a red zone period, beating all-world CB Patrick Surtain for a touchdown on a slant route.
Upton Stout
Stout faced off against speedy wide receiver Troy Franklin in a one-on-one matchup, which is always slanted towards the receiver, and turned it into an interception.
Stout was also flying around in run defense. As a nickel corner, Stout has to essentially function as an extra linebacker in run defense with coverage responsibilities.
The arrow is pointing straight up for the rookie, who has all but locked up the starting nickel position through 11 sessions of training camp.
The 49ers offense
It’s widely reported that Denver’s defense won the first portion of practice, but the 49ers’ offense settled in during the move-the-ball period and finished the practice strongly.
While you’d like to hear about more consistency from the 49ers offense, today wasn’t Brock Purdy’s best day, but fighting back after making adjustments and winning in the red zone, an area the 49ers struggled with in 2024, is certainly a positive.
TE George Kittle beat Surtain down the field with the cornerback draped all over. Kittle is primed for a massive season in 2025.
Honorable Mention: Ricky Pearsall
The last box to check for the second-year receiver is dealing with press coverage from top cornerbacks in the NFL. Facing off against Surtain & Jahdae Barron is the perfect test for Pearsall. It’s expected for a back-and-forth between Pearsall and the corners, and Pearsall didn’t win every single rep, but the move-the-ball period was Pearsall’s best sequence of plays.
LOSERS
The 49ers’ injury report
Kyle Shanahan described just trying to get through and finish the practice with the last few healthy bodies on the defensive line in his press conference, as rookie DE Mykel Williams left the session with a “hyperextended” knee, which is the best-case scenario and shouldn’t cost the rookie much time.
RB Jordan James has a broken finger, which will require surgery, and will...
