49ers training camp breakdown: Jordan Reed shines, injury updates

49ers training camp revealed some clarity on the team’s injury situation on Tuesday, yet that news was offset by tight end Jordan Reed hitting the field.

The opening phases of San Francisco 49ers training camp were relatively injury-free, yet the past ramp-up period has seen a number of players go down with various injuries and setbacks. The team was already short wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, tight end Ross Dwelley and center Ben Garland, and the defense also lost edge rushers Nick Bosa and Dee Ford to minor injuries, too.

On Tuesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan clarified some of the injuries to some of his star players, informing reporters Bosa underwent an MRI to reveal a muscle strain in his leg after complaining about some pain in his legs a couple of days earlier. Aiyuk, who had dazzled in camp up to his own injury, has a hamstring strain.

Both players are considered week-to-week.

Shanahan also confirmed Ford was dealing with a minor calf strain and was considered day-to-day. In addition, Shanahan maintained some hope wide receiver Deebo Samuel would be available for Week 1 after suffering a Jones fracture in his left foot earlier this offseason.

Samuel has yet to take the field following the subsequent surgery.

Jordan Reed takes the field for the first time in 49ers training camp

The Niners inked former Washington tight end Jordan Reed earlier this offseason, hoping to pair him with first-team All-Pro tight end George Kittle as a potential lethal one-two combination at the position.

Reed, who has a history of concussions and other injuries, hadn’t participated in camp activities since being signed, although that changed Tuesday.

By accounts, his efforts on the field were pretty exceptional:

Reed, who last played in 2018, hauled in 58 receptions for 558 yards and two touchdowns. He also has experience in Shanahan’s offense, the two working together in Washington during Reed’s rookie 2013 season.

Undoubtedly, that played a role in San Francisco going after him during the offseason.

It’s understandable why the 49ers wanted to bring Reed along slowly, given his lengthy absence from the field and injury history.

But if Reed can stay healthy, there’s a good chance the Niners offense will feature a dimension few other teams around the league have.

49ers training camp: Johnathan Cyprien vying for the 53-man roster?

Another free agent San Francisco brought aboard was former Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien, who has been making some notable impressions during camp.

Already with two interceptions under his belt since joining the team, Cyprien managed to tip a pass off the hand of No. 2 quarterback Nick Mullens, which fell into the waiting arms of nose tackle D.J. Jones, who also came off the concussion protocol before practice:

Cyprien still has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, namely trying to compete with fellow strong safeties Jaquiski Tartt, who is the presumed starter, and third-year pro Marcell Harris.

Still, given some of the Niners’ depth questions within the secondary, it might not be a surprise to see a player like Cyprien, a former second-round NFL Draft pick, wind up overtaking Harris’ backup spot once the regular season begins.

San Francisco will resume training camp practices on Wednesday, Aug. 26.