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Top takeaways from Day 2 of 49ers’ 2019 OTA sessions

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - APRIL 29: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers takes a hand off from Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers at practice during a media opportunity at Levi's Stadium on April 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - APRIL 29: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers takes a hand off from Blaine Gabbert #2 of the San Francisco 49ers at practice during a media opportunity at Levi's Stadium on April 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Kena Krutsinger/Getty Images) /

The San Francisco 49ers kicked off day two of their 2019 OTA sessions, and the media was on hand. Here are some of the top takeaways from these practices.

Tuesday marked the first day media members were able to attend San Francisco 49ers‘ organized team activities (OTAs), as they officially started on Monday.

This was the second of three practices the Niners are scheduled to have this week, with another three taking place next week and a further three occurring the first week of June. While players aren’t donning pads just yet — that will come in training camp — there are some important notes to make and reports to break down.

Of course, one of the bigger storylines will be quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and his return to the field after tearing his ACL in Week 3 last year.

Garoppolo and running back Jerick McKinnon, who also tore his ACL, have been spending much of the offseason rehabbing their injuries. And both were back on the field Monday and Tuesday, albeit in limited fashion.

NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz explained further:

https://twitter.com/OmarDRuiz/status/1130890356382470144

McKinnon not being as involved as Garoppolo early in OTAs shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as running backs typically require a lot more movement and agility than quarterbacks. The 49ers will likely keep working both players, especially McKinnon, into their practices slowly.

Still, it is nice to see this again:

If there’s one thing the 49ers want to avoid during these early practices, it’s the injury bug. San Francisco’s 2018 campaign was all but derailed by injuries, namely those to Garoppolo and McKinnon. And while the team made strides to add to depth during the offseason, even just one long-term injury can seriously hinder a team’s chances.

Such could be the case with running back Matt Breida who, according to 49ers.com’s Joe Fann, suffered a slightly torn pectoral while lifting weights. Per the report, Breida will be ready by training camp but will miss the remainder of OTAs and minicamps until then.

Additionally, linebacker Fred Warner will be out until training camp after having a minor knee procedure. This should open up the door for the rookie linebacker, Dre Greenlaw, to see some serious first-team snaps between now and then.

Tight end Garrett Celek remains in the concussion protocol, which also opens up the door for rookie TE Kaden Smith. There’s a position battle to watch there, too.

So, what are some other notable takeaways from the Niners’ second day of OTAs?