On Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers held their last of two joint practices with the Houston Texans at the Houston Methodist Training Center, which started at 9:15 a.m. CT (7:15 a.m. PT).
Rookie safety Terrell Williams Jr. and linebacker Mark Nzeocha were each carted off the field with injuries. Neither of the injuries appears to be too serious. Williams was walking around after practice and told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area that he is fine. Nzeocha was seen stretching and doing some agility work before exiting.
Tight end Cole Wick left practice with what appeared to be a heat-related issue.
"I'd like to say I'm used to this, but I'm not," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of the Houston heat. "You can't get used to this. It's tough."
Below are some other notes from Thursday morning's practice.
Quarterbacks
It was Texans safety Tyrann Mathieu who picked off quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in practice on Wednesday. On Thursday, it was safety Kareem Jackson who hauled in a Garoppolo-thrown interception. The pick came on the first play of the two-minute drill, and Joe Fann of 49ers.com reported that it was a bad read and throw by Garoppolo.
Garoppolo and the first team offense went four-and-out on a late drive during two-minute drills. He did, however, throw three touchdowns during 7-on-7 drills. Marquise Goodwin caught two while Pierre Garçon caught the other.
C.J. Beathard hit wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in the end zone for a touchdown during 7-on-7s.
Running Backs
Jeremy McNichols continued to see the bulk of the reps with the first-team offense. Shanahan warns not to read too much into it, though.
"We just try to get a look at everyone," Shanahan said. "You try to give everyone their opportunity. We have had guys down and other guys like Joe (Williams) and Raheem (Mostert), they have gotten more opportunities with the one offensive line."
Wide Receivers
Fann reports that rookie Dante Pettis had another strong practice and "dominated" during one-on-one drills. He got open deep down the middle, but the pass was underthrown by Beathard. Later, Pettis hauled in a deep pass down the left sideline from Garoppolo.
Rookie Dante Pettis has Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins' respect.
"I like your game, man. I like your game," Hopkins told Pettis after practice.
Offensive Line
Rookie right tackle Mike McGlinchey got another opportunity to go against Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, which was an up and down battle on Wednesday. Going against one of the NFL's best defenders is excellent practice for McGlinchey.
Round 1: Mike McGlinchey vs. J.J. Watt. #49ers pic.twitter.com/llCR1ioYpD
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) August 16, 2018
Round 2: Mike McGlinchey vs. J.J. Watt. #49ers pic.twitter.com/Od9n5kxvf1
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) August 16, 2018
Joshua Garnett is moving back up the depth chart in practices. On Monday, he worked at right guard with the third-team offense. On Wednesday, he was upgraded to the second-team unit. On Thursday, he received reps with the first-team squad.
Jonathan Cooper received reps at right guard with the second-team offense.
"Josh Garnett now is back, had a really good day yesterday," general manager John Lynch said at the start of practice. "We'll see how that goes. Jonathan Cooper still working himself back but his legs are still getting a little bit more underneath him each and every day."
Shanahan said after practice that he expects Cooper to play against the Texans on Saturday night.
Linebackers
Rookie Fred Ward stood out. He had a would-be sack.
Defensive Backs
Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon ended strong while covering Hopkins and being targeted on three straight plays by quarterback Deshaun Watson. Hopkins beat Witherspoon for a 20-yard gain down the left sideline on the first play. The Texans receiver drew an offensive pass interference call on the next play. Then Witherspoon had a pass breakup, which was nearly an interception, on the final play.
"Didn't back down at all with the entire Texans sideline chirping at him," Fann reports.
Greg Mabin intercepted Texans quarterback Brandon Weeden on a deep pass down the left sideline.
Cornerback Richard Sherman stayed after practice to get some extra work in with Hopkins.
Putting in extra work.@RSherman_25 x @DeAndreHopkins pic.twitter.com/dKplEyuVk3
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 16, 2018
Safety Adrian Colbert and rookie D.J. Reed combined for a pass breakup on a deep throw.
Special Teams
Kicker Robbie Gould drilled a 60-yard field goal during two-minute drills.
