Can the 49ers depend on rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling?
“The team has long shied away from plugging any of its young wideouts into one position, instead asking them to learn all three spots (F, X or Z) before deciding where to put them. That workload can faze some players, but coaches and teammates have said Stribling isn’t bothered.
The strong impression he left on the team was a result of the routine Stribling developed after the offseason program. Along with the studying film each day, he would say every playcall out loud or have someone recite it to him. Then, he would write it down or draw the play out so he could visualize it.
Stribling would go through the playbook repeatedly, occasionally asking his mother or his girlfriend to quiz him or call out plays. He even joined fellow wideout Jordan Watkins for throwing sessions with Purdy and Jones in Nashville prior to training camp.”
The Good and Not So Good from Day 12 of 49ers Camp: The Purdy-Evans Connection Needs Work
“Give Samuel credit — he’s in the best shape possible and he shows every day, as opposed to lots of other veterans on the team. He’s one of the iron mans of camp so far, which is incredible….[Jack Jones] injured his hand early on Thursday night against the Titans, but practiced today and recovered a fumble. He takes the ball away from the offense seemingly every other practice, but his coverage isn’t exactly sticky. He’s an enigma.
Mike Evans returns to 49ers practice as left guard competition heats up
“Wide receiver Jacob Cowing, out since Aug. 5 with a hip flexor injury, returned to practice. He took a handoff on a running play, then dropped a pass from Jones. Later, he made a very nice grab of a Jones pass along the right sideline.”
49ers DC Raheem Morris evaluates young players after preseason opener
“San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris spoke with reporters after Saturday’s training camp practice. Here’s everything he had to say.”
49ers’ Gracen Halton making an impression with both burst and outburst at camp (paywall)
“After Halton’s first win in one-on-one drills earlier this month, 49ers tackle Trent Williams strolled over to the defensive line’s section to offer a handshake and encouragement. Both are Oklahoma products who met three years ago when Williams was on the sideline for a Sooners game, though Halton doubts the veteran tackle remembers the encounter.
“I was one of the guys that said what’s up to him,” Halton said. “I was dang starstruck.”
…Halton feels he’s making up for lost time.
He hyperextended his knee on the first day of training camp and missed the initial week of practice. He didn’t exactly ease his way back into the mix when he returned, making plays in both one-on-one and 11-on-11 situations and letting everyone know about it.
“That’s what I like to do,” he said. “I imagine myself as a lion going out to get the gazelle. So when I do those one-on-ones, my mindset is, I’m going off to hunt.”
49ers change up their left guard rotation; Mike Evans and Jacob Cowing return
“After Thursday’s game, Kyle Shanahan said this about Jones: “We felt he fit into our scheme and was a guy that we were able to get that we think can compete for that starting job, and if not, he can have some good depth for us.”
That almost sounds like they want Willis or Colby to be the guy for the job. In the same breath, this shouldn’t be viewed as a demotion for Jones, who played in his first live game since 2024 fewer than 48 hours ago. The team has to manage Jones’ inevitable soreness.
After practice, Trent Williams said it’s a three-man race and “may the best man win.” He believes Willis has a “high ceiling and a lot of potential.”