The San Francisco 49ers returned to practice following a preseason comeback win against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
Unfortunately, the team was without second-year players George Kittle and Matt Breida; both suffered shoulder injuries in Thursday's contest. Kittle and Breida will miss the remainder of the preseason but should be ready to play starting Week 1.
Also, not practicing today were linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring), tackle Garry Gilliam (concussion), and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (concussion). Gilliam and Thomas were both in the concussion protocol.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan provided the 49ers' lengthy injury list on Friday.
Third-year right guard Joshua Garnett practiced for the first time since injuring his knee on July 28. Garnett is hopeful to play in this week's game against the Houston Texans. Linebacker Brock Coyle, who's been limited due to a hip injury, also practiced on Sunday.
Cornerback Richard Sherman did practice today but did not participate in team drills.
Senior reporter Joe Fann noted during the live session of camp that guard Jonathan Cooper was at practice today, but would be limited in contact.
Midway through practice, Fann tweeted that the team's medical staff was tending to running back Jerick McKinnon who was grabbing the back of his right knee. McKinnon was able to walk but stayed out of practice.
Following practice, Matt Maiocco noted McKinnon stayed to sign autographs and said he was fine.
McKinnon was among the many #49ers players who signed autographs and took pictures with military members. He said he is fine.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 12, 2018
McKinnon will undergo an MRI on his right knee.
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh commented on the fine line between getting ready for the season and players remaining healthy.
"There is a fine line," said Saleh. "But if you strap up and step between the white lines, you're all gas. Period. You're signaling that you're ready to go. The fine line is once you've cleared protocol and you've taken care of your body, and you've done everything you could to get the helmet back on so you could step between the white and get into the huddle, you're rolling. You can't prepare for a walkthrough. You have to prepare as if you're playing a game, so when you do get to the game it's easy."
Second-year linebacker Pita Taumoepenu saw work today at Sam linebacker with the first unit.
"Pita's doing a good job. He's come a long way," said Saleh. "It's like he learns something new every day."
Saleh was quick to note that the team is not looking at who is working with the first or second team, but that the coaching staff wants to ensure players are getting work.
On offense, veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeremy McNichols saw a lot of work due to Brieda's injury. Running back Joe Williams was not at practice due to a death in the family.
According to Nick Wagoner, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hit wide receiver Aldrick Robinson on a deep pass and tossed a touchdown pass to second-year slot receiver Trent Taylor during drills in the red zone.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo had a mostly strong practice (with one bad decision we'll get to in a moment). Threw perfect deep ball for big gain to Robinson during move the ball period and had multiple connections with Goodwin, Taylor, Garçon. Threw great ball to Taylor for TD in RZ work.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 12, 2018
Defensive back Jimmie Ward had two pass break-ups against Garoppolo.
The 49ers will practice on Monday and head to Houston on Tuesday to hold joint practices with the Texans on Wednesday and Thursday before the game on Saturday.
"It's very beneficial because you get different looks, so there are different ways teams will attack your system, and you get to see it on tape," said Saleh "You get to try some things. From a schematic standpoint, it's awesome because you're seeing something different. From a player's standpoint, it's great because you're playing someone different. You can get a lot of good work in."
The practices and game will allow rookie tackle Mike McGlinchey to face J.J. Watt, one of the NFL's best defensive linemen. However, McGlinchey doesn't seem too fazed by the upcoming test.
"It's why you play in the NFL; it's to play against the biggest and baddest dudes," said McGlinchey. "They (Houston) have three or four of them. So, it's going to be pretty fun. I'm more worried about the heat monster than I am those guys. So as long as I can stay upright and not lose 15 pounds at practice, I'll come out of there with a win."
- Bret Rumbeck
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Written by:Bret Rumbeck has been writing about the 49ers since 2017 for 49ers Webzone and 49ers Hub. He is a Turlock, CA native, and has worked for two members of the US House of Representatives and one US Senator. When not breaking down game film, Bret spends his time seeking out various forms of heavy metal. Feel free to follow him or direct inquiries to @brumbeck.
