49ers news: Training camp ends, preseason starts now

The 49ers wrapped up 12 days of training camp, meaning it’s time to turn the page onto the preseason, which kicks off on Friday against the Packers.

On Aug. 9, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance finally put forth an effort in training camp that showed some serious improvement over some of the lackluster practices he had in the two-plus weeks of camp dating back to late July.

The second-year pro went 13-of-17, tossing zero interceptions and recording three touchdowns, which helped make up for an awfully shaking camp practice the previous Sunday.

Then, on Aug. 10, Lance and the offense responded with more of a so-so outing.

For the most part, the Niners defense had dominated such sessions. And while it’s certainly common for young quarterbacks to have some issues in camp, one also has to point out San Francisco’s defense is slated to be pretty good in 2022.

But camp is over. It’s time for San Francisco to focus on its slate of three preseason games:

• Week 1 vs. Packers: Friday, Aug. 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET
• Week 2 @ Vikings: Saturday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. ET
• Week 3 @ Texans: Thursday, Aug. 25 at 8: 15 p.m. ET

Head coach Kyle Shanahan already told reporters Lance will play in the preseason opener against Green Bay, but one might only expect a series or two before the quarterback gives way to his backups.

What’s more important to Shanahan will be determining which players end up getting cut in the wake of the exhibition debut, as the league has since returned to a tiered roster-cut system as follows:

• Tuesday, Aug. 16: 90 players down to 85
• Tuesday, Aug. 23: 85 players down to 80
• Tuesday, Aug. 30: 80 players down to 53

The last wave of roster cuts will be the most significant, and there’s bound to be a flurry of league transactions in the immediate aftermath, as teams scramble to make room for surprising cuts.

We’re not there yet, though, as the 49ers will use the exhibition opener as a final bit of evidence to help determine the first five who’ll be dismissed from the 90-man offseason roster.

Latest 49ers news from around FanSided

49ers legend Frank Gore charged with simple assault — Sravan Gannavarapu, FanSided

"TMZ Sports reported that last month, they received word from the Atlanta Police Department that officers were called to the Tropicana Atlantic City hotel in New Jersey regarding a domestic violence dispute.Upon arrival, officers say an unidentified 28-year-old woman spoke with them with “no injuries,” and a complaint was not filed. However, following an investigation, Gore was charged with assault for assault “related to the incident.”"

Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw drawing comparisons to Trent Williams — Jacob Roach, FanSided

"Overall he only allowed 22 pressures in 398 pass-blocking snaps so there is room for improvement but overall not bad for a rookie left tackle. However, he is already flashing in camp and some have compared him to the NFL’s best-left tackle in San Fransicso’s Trent Williams."

Latest 49ers news from around the Niners community

Kyle Shanahan says 49ers were ‘locked in’ on Mac Jones, Trey Lance prior to 2021 draft — David Bonilla, 49ers Webzone

"Jones was a target—along with Lance.“We did the trade so early that it made me feel good about it because I knew before we did it how I felt about the quarterbacks,” Shanahan said, “and how good we would be to take [one] at 12. There was two that I really wanted.”Shanahan was asked to name the second quarterback.“Mac,” the 49ers coach responded. “Yeah, Mac Jones and Trey. Those were the two guys that we were locked in on from the beginning, and if we never moved up to [No. 3], we would have never had the chance to learn more about Trey."

Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers are moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo — Kyle Posey, Niners Nation

"“The decision on that isn’t anything against Jimmy. But you gotta make tough decisions in this business. The more you learn about salary cap. The more you learn about how to keep ahold of your players. I thought Jimmy played great during that Super Bowl year. But I also know how good of a team we had.”“They were young, and it gets harder and harder to keep these guys. Going forward, we realized how hard it would be to keep Deebo, and sign guys like Fred [Warner], like [George] Kittle. We know we’re going to end up paying [Nick] Bosa a lot of money.”"

Brandon Aiyuk details aftermath of on-field fight with Fred Warner — Jennifer Lee Chan, NBC Sports Bay Area

"“At the end of the day that’s my brother when we go back in the locker room, that’s my brother when we leave,” Aiyuk said. “That’s my brother so it is what it is. We’ve moved on.”"

Nick Bosa expects 49ers defense to be No. 1 this season — Eduardo Razo, NBC Sports Bay Area

"“I think our goal is always number one defense, and I think this year, more than any year before, we have top-tier players at each level.”“So I think our coverage has been better than it’s been. We have three healthy linebackers who I’d put in the top ten of any linebackers in the league, to be honest with you. And then, obviously, it starts with the D-line. So if we keep everybody nice and fresh and healthy and keep stacking days, then watch out.”"