The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up a light training camp practice on Monday in preparation for their preseason Week 2 contest versus the Houston Texans. Here’s the latest news and notes from Santa Clara.
Injuries haven’t been particularly kind to the San Francisco 49ers this training camp, particularly during their 24-21 preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys last week.
As a result, it wasn’t a shock to see the Niners’ Aug. 13 injury list a bit on the lengthy side.
Running backs Matt Breida (shoulder) and Jerick McKinnon (leg) both sat out. McKinnon, whose recent MRI revealed a muscle strain likely won’t return until after San Francisco’s upcoming bout with the Houston Texans on Aug. 18.
Defensive end Solomon Thomas (concussion), linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring) and swing tackle Garry Gilliam (concussion) were among other players injured during last week’s game who sat out practice Monday:
#49ers pre-practice participation report
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 13, 2018
Monday, Aug. 13
No practice-Kittle, Breida, Armstead, McKinnon, Williams, Smith, Gilliam, Thomas, Harold, Attaochu, McCaffrey.
Limited-Sherman, Garnett, Warner, Coyle, Wick,Flynn.
Recovery day-Person.
To help account for the lack of running back depth, head coach Kyle Shanahan informed reporters the team was planning to sign veteran tailback Alfred Morris, pending a physical. Morris played under Shanahan during their tenure together with the Washington Redskins between 2012 and 2013.
It’s doubtful Morris winds up on the regular-season 53-man roster, however.
The Niners did get some good news on the injury front, however, as cornerback Richard Sherman and offensive guard Joshua Garnett returned to full duty.
Sherman, who suffered a minor hamstring issue a week ago, ended up participating in full 11-on-11 drills during practice. He even managed to break up a red-zone pass from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, according to Niners Nation’s Jennifer Lee Chan.
Sherman’s return is important, particularly given the lack of experienced depth San Francisco has at cornerback. But Garnett, who has seen just two-plus days of camp practice with a knee injury, is embattled in a competition for the Niners’ starting right guard position. Earlier in camp, Shanahan admitted to being “shocked” at Garnett’s lack of availability.
The Niners’ interior offensive line was problematic during last Thursday’s game versus the Cowboys. Getting Garnett back should help matters, but he’s no closer to securing the starting gig than he was when training camp began.
Shortages on the Defensive Line
San Francisco’s defensive line was shorthanded on Monday, namely due to both Thomas and rookie defensive tackle Jullian Taylor (illness) being absent.
Taylor, who played the entirety of the 49ers’ exhibition opener — rare, even for rookies — came down with a stomach ailment of some sort in advance of Monday’s practice. He’ll be expected to return soon, however.
In total, the Niners were able to dress just six defensive lineman on the day.
Depth Chart the Same for Preseason Week 2
Yes, it’s entirely unofficial, and there’s little sense reading too much into it, but the 49ers’ aren’t making any changes to their preseason depth chart (h/t 49ers Webzone).
You can see the actual chart here, if you’d like, although it’s never an indication to which players will actually start and how much time they’ll see on the field. Case in point, the majority of San Francisco’s offensive starters saw just one drive last Thursday, while most of the defense saw just two. A few players, such as rookie offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, played elongated stretches.
That’ll probably be the trend as the Niners prepare for their second preseason game in Houston.
Following Monday’s practice, the 49ers take off for two joint practices with the Texans before both teams’ second preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. ET.