On Thursday morning, it was revealed that the San Francisco 49ers would release WR Bruce Ellington, who has been buried on the depth chart. Obviously, the receiver was not a participant in Thursday's practice and his release was officially announced by the team during that practice.
Joe Fann of 49ers.com said that the release of Ellington shows a level of confidence in the team's younger players. The 49ers also claimed 6-foot-5 rookie WR Tim Patrick from the Baltimore Ravens and signed veteran WR Louis Murphy.
Out because of an ankle injury, DL DeForest Buckner is listed as day-to-day. He limped off of the field during team drills on Wednesday, had his left ankle taped up, and then observed from the sideline for the remainder of practice. His injury is not believed to be serious.
S Eric Reid returned as a full practice participant after being limited due to an ankle injury.
OL J.P. Flynn (knee), CB Zach Franklin (ankle), LB Eli Harold (concussion), and S Jaquiski Tartt (rib) did not participate while LB NaVorro Bowman, WR Pierre Garçon, T Joe Staley, and OL Jeremy Zuttah were given a veteran day off.
Below are some notes from Thursday's practice, which was the 49ers' sixth of training camp.
Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat first reported that RB Tim Hightower left team drills with an injury. The 49ers signed him on April 1. Prior to his past two seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Hightower had missed three NFL seasons due to an infection in his surgically-repaired left knee. While the running back did not return to practice, Cohn later reported that the injury did not look serious.
Tim Hightower left 49ers practice with an injury.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 3, 2017
Looks like a left-leg injury for Hightower but I'm not sure. Doesn't seem serious.
— Grant Cohn (@grantcohn) August 3, 2017
With Bowman given the day off and an injury to LB Brock Coyle, rookie LB Reuben Foster had an opportunity to play with the first-team defense during practice, where he was credited with two sacks and a tipped pass. LB Ray-Ray Armstrong came away with the interception off of QB Brian Hoyer following the tip by Foster.
Kevin Jones of KNBR called Thursday's practice the most physical of training camp, noting good showings by a couple of undrafted safeties, Lorenzo Jerome and Chanceller James.
Jones also pointed out that RB Carlos Hyde had five or six receptions, several of which were for big gains. "Talk of cutting him seems laughable," Jones said.
WR Marquise Goodwin, who has come away with a number of long touchdown passes during practices, came away with another one on Thursday. Goodwin's stock has soared during training camp.
Remember, 49ers Webzone writer and co-host of our "No Huddle" podcast, Zain Naqvi (@zain49ers), will be covering the 49ers' open practice at Levi's Stadium from the field on Saturday, giving fans updates and observations from the session.
