The San Francisco 49ers held their eighth practice of training camp, this one an open practice at Levi’s Stadium. Niner Noise has the lowdown on the day’s action.
It was a warm and sunny day in Santa Clara as the San Francisco 49ers unlocked the chains at the gates for Levi’s Stadium and gave the general public their first view of the 2017 team during today’s open practice. I was in attendance, my first time too seeing this squad live in action.
Even with the sun shining bright, there remains to be some gloom lounging around the 49ers as the injury bug is seeming to make a home for itself in the Bay Area. The team has suffered a rash of injuries, 10 in total, and today was no different.
During 11-on-11 drills, safety Adrian Colbert ran into wide receiver Trent Taylor, which appeared to hurt Colbert:
Here's the video on the collision between wide receiver Trent Taylor and safety Adrian Colbert - Colbert was taken to the locker room after: pic.twitter.com/bKslKn8CPC
— Logan Stanley (@LSscribe) August 5, 2017
There has been no update on Colbert’s status.
That was just the beginning of the bad news though — linebacker Malcolm Smith and offensive lineman Joshua Garnett both sustained injuries, and both are thought to be long-term:
49ers fearing long-term injury with Malcolm Smith (chest). Joshua Garnett (knee) might also require surgery.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 5, 2017
With Smith, it’s being reported that it’s a pectoral injury and may be season-ending. Regarding Garnett, it’s apparently a knee injury, but the ACL is fine and does not seem to be threatening Garnett’s entire season.
Editor’s Note: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Malcolm Smith suffered a torn pectoral, and it’s a season-ending injury.
San Francisco 49ers
Joining those trios of injured players was running back Kapri Bibbs who hurt his shoulder after hitting defensive lineman Tank Carradine, according to Matt Maiocco.
As for the actual practice itself, it was a constructive day for the offense. Here are some of my observations from today:
- Quarterback Brian Hoyer and wide receiver Pierre Garçon continue their chemistry-building
- Running back Carlos Hyde is out there to prove himself
- The deep ball between Hoyer and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is something to watch for
Hoyer and Garçon, both the clear starters at their positions, again asserted their dominance in the open practice. Multiple times the pair connected during 11-on-11 drills, signaling the rapport between the two that’s been growing since camp opened up. It’s one of the most crucial developments for the team on the offensive side of the ball.
Another one of those crucial developments is the progression of Hyde. Prior to camp, talk was that Hyde might be cut or traded. Maybe some of that talk has made its way to Hyde, because the third-year running back has been a standout so far at camp for the team.
What stood out to me today during 11-on-11 drills was Hyde coming out of the backfield — he was targeted numerous times and he showcased his ability to be a pass-catching back:
Forming the fourth point of the offense will most likely be Goodwin, whose speed is set to be utilized in the new 49ers offense. Easily one of the fastest players on the field, the big-play ability of Goodwin was put on display:
The deep ball connection between quarterback Brian Hoyer and wide receiver Marquise Goodwin has continued into today: pic.twitter.com/XC7eoDRoUo
— Logan Stanley (@LSscribe) August 5, 2017
Some rapid-fire notes from today:
- Undrafted rookie running back Matt Breida making a name for himself
- Rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor has some of the surest hands on the team
- Defensive lineman DeForest Buckner was back in action, limited participant
- Safety Eric Reid has recovered from his ankle sprain:
Next: 49ers training camp: Bubble-watch projections for San Francisco’s roster
Stay with us at Niner Noise as we’ll continue to have updates and news on the 49ers as training camp moves along.