49ers training camp news: Quarterbacks improving, injuries piling up

It's appearing as if the 49ers' crop of quarterbacks is finally hitting a stride in training camp. That, plus the injury bug is creeping up a bit.

If you're growing tired of the San Francisco 49ers' quarterbacking discussion between Brock Purdy, Trey Lance, Sam Darnold and even Brandon Allen, buckle up. It's not going to go away anytime soon.

Understandably, the first week of training camp wasn't too kind on the signal-callers. For one, going up against a Niners defense that ranked No. 1 in scoring a year ago is going to be challenging no matter what. Plus, as is typically the case in most teams' camps, the defense usually starts off much further ahead than the offense.

Particularly under head coach Kyle Shanahan and his own intricate, complicated offensive system.

However, as is also typically the case, the offense will catch up. And that means better performances from the foursome of Purdy, Lance, Darnold and Allen.

49ers quarterbacks show their best training camp practice on Thursday

Purdy continued to work almost exclusively with the first-team unit, which is another piece of evidence that says he'll be San Francisco's starter no matter what.

And, as NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco shared, the top three quarterbacks showed some solid efforts in 11-on-11 drills:

And, as far as the Lance interception:

This is probably where the competition needed to go, even if Purdy is cemented in at the No. 1 spot on the depth chart.

"Trey has made tremendous strides this offseason," general manager John Lynch said on NFL Network earlier this week (h/t 49ers Webzone). "[We're] really proud of the way he's attacked it. And so that room's really strong. Brandon Allen comes in, and man, that guy's making some plays out here. So we do feel really good about not just Brock, Trey, Sam, Brandon, but the depth that provides us going into this year."

From the opposite perspective, though, it seems as if the job to back up Purdy is still very much wide open and undetermined.

49ers are dealing with a (mild) injury bug in training camp

The 49ers could potentially be without backup tackle Jaylon Moore for a few days, as he is dealing with a bone bruise after being carted off the field from practice earlier this week.

But other injuries are beginning to pile up a bit, and a few could possibly be a bit concerning.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that left guard Aaron Banks is in the concussion protocol, and he won't be returning to practice until he clears. The backup who'd likely fill in for Banks, veteran Jon Feliciano, is also dealing with a shoulder injury. Those two being out has led to both Jason Poe and Nick Zakelj getting reps with the first-string unit in Banks' absence.

Shanahan also admitted that running back Elijah Mitchell, who missed all but five games last year because of injuries, is dealing with an abductor strain and will be out for "about a week."

Read more: All Elijah Mitchell has to do in 2023 is stay healthy (and that might be hard)

Fortunately, there haven't been any long-term injuries that could jeopardize a player's impact during the regular season aside from rookie cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. suffering a non-disclosed injury during rookie minicamp.

Punter Mitch Wishnowsky is also dealing with a back injury, but the Niners are keeping him off the field for precautionary measures at this point.

Hopefully, the injury front stays light.

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