49ers training camp 2021: 5 hottest storylines so far

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San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Dee Ford (55) Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Dee Ford is further along than Nick Bosa

Imagine saying this two or three months ago: EDGE Dee Ford beat fellow EDGE Nick Bosa back to the practice field.

At least in terms of full-team drills.

Ford, who missed all but one game last year with a serious back injury, essentially was an afterthought heading into 2021 and a player whom San Francisco was going to jettison as soon as it could get underneath his reworked contract, effectively in 2022. He wasn’t expected to play much, if at all, so the thought of Ford returning — and looking both fast and explosive during training camp — has to be awfully good news for Kyle Shanahan and Co.

Bosa, meanwhile, has regularly been held out of team drills for maintenance days. While frustrating in the wake of his torn ACL early in 2020, the 49ers have every right to be cautious with the former No. 2 overall draft pick.

There isn’t much for Bosa to prove at this point. Entering year three of his pro career, and even after missing the bulk of last season, Bosa is one of the league’s premier pass-rushers, and there’s not much to be gained by having him go up against offensive lines in on-field drills and scrimmages.

It’s best to save Bosa for the regular season.