A number of San Francisco 49ers players didn't participate in the team's fourth practice of training camp. On Friday, safety Jimmie Ward was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list. On Monday morning, the 49ers announced that six other players would not participate. They were tight end George Kittle (hamstring), cornerback Keith Reaser (knee), safety Eric Reid (ankle), wide receiver B.J. Johnson (hamstring), center J.P. Flynn (knee), and linebacker Jimmie Gilbert (knee).
Regarding Ward, 49ers.com senior reporter Joe Fann reported that he expected the safety would be out "at least a couple of more days." Reid was out on the field with his teammates in his full practice uniform – minus the pads. He was seen jogging and going through team warm-ups but did not participate further.
The safety position's depth appears to be dwindling – at least in the short-term. Jaquiski Tartt appeared to be in a lot of pain following a possible injury during Monday's practice. Rookie Lorenzo Jerome filled in for Tartt with the first-team defense.
Jaquiski Tartt seems to have injured his left oblique. He's in a lot of pain.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) July 31, 2017
Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster, who has been impressing during training camp, had his third interception in four practices. "He's dominating the three's," Fann noted.
Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, whose stock has been rising early in training camp, at one point during practice, pointed to his shoes to remind everybody of his speed.
"I'm constantly evolving as a receiver," Goodwin said on Saturday. "Each day, I come out, I do what I'm told, I fix the little things that I need to when watching film. It's continuing to show and that's a credit to my coach, my teammates for believing in me, pushing me each day and correcting me on the little details."
Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reported that quarterback Brian Hoyer and Goodwin have been developing a great rapport early in training camp. Hoyer had a 60-yard touchdown pass to Goodwin during practice. It was one of two touchdowns for Goodwin on Monday.
Fann noted that rookie cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has looked solid in practices. Once ready, the 6-foot-3 cornerback could be a great fit in the Seattle Seahawks-style defense that defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is installing. Barrows believes that Witherspoon will make his way into the starting lineup at some point this season following a similar path as second-year cornerback Rashard Robinson.
"He's the most physically gifted cornerback on this team and it's not even close," Barrows said.
Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas took part in his third practice of training camp after missing the team's first. Kevin Jones of KNBR posted the video below of Thomas going up against guard Zane Beadles.
Solomon Thomas vs. Zane Beadles pic.twitter.com/chwgfC89a1
— Kevin Jones (@Mr_KevinJones) July 31, 2017
Solomon Thomas also had his best practice thus far. Showed well in 1-on-1 drills and had a would-be sack in 11-on-11.
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) July 31, 2017
Arik Armstead has had an impressive transition to the defense's Leo spot. It was a move that was originally questioned by many because of Armstead's size. He stated on Sunday that he had lost about 15 pounds during the offseason in preparation for the move.
#49erCamp: Groundhog Day!
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) July 31, 2017
Safety hurt (Tartt)
Foster INT
Armstead presence
QBs going deep well
Garçon, Goodwin, Robinson top WRs pic.twitter.com/aSCZhRUtR3
Behind Hoyer on the depth chart are Matt Barkley, C.J. Beathard, and Nick Mullens – in that order. However, Beathard did get some reps with the second-team offense over Barkley on Monday. While Fann believes that Barkley has made some good throws in practices, Beathard has been hot and cold.
"There's times when he's looked real great and there's times when he looked like a rookie, which is what you expect from a rookie quarterback," Fann said.
