The San Francisco 49ers were feeling loose in their final full practice before Super Bowl LIV, and decided to have some fun with the coaching staff.
Why was Jimmie Ward lining up at defensive end? By the way, he put on some size since yesterday's practice.
And why is Nick Bosa playing safety?
Well, none of that was actually happening. All of the players decided to swap jerseys, according to pool reporter Jenny Vrentas, which will make film review interesting for the coaching staff.
Per the pool report, the 49ers were in a light-hearted mood two days before the SB. Players swapped jerseys before practice (Surprise: George Kittle was among the pranksters) and Shanahan had Joe Staley, the longest tenured 49er, break down the huddle when the session ended
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) January 31, 2020
Wild experience walking out to practice, starting to take attendance and realizing ... yeah, Nick Bosa doesn't play safety 🧐 https://t.co/ielS4RT8NC
— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) January 31, 2020
Vrentas' practice report included the following:
"The 49ers wore helmets and jerseys (no shells) as they jogged through the short Friday session outdoors on a 77-degree afternoon in Coral Gables. The team installed its red-zone plays last week, so today included a review of those plays as well as the rest of the game plan. The team charter buses arrived at the University of Miami facilities about 45 minutes before practice, so the players used the extra time to pull a trick on their coaches, with several players swapping jerseys. Defensive end Nick Bosa switched with safety Jimmie Ward. Coleman wore Kyle Juszczyk's No. 44, and tight end George Kittle wore position-mate Levine Toilolo's No. 83."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was among those who appreciated the mood of his team just two days before the biggest game of their lives.
"They surprised us with it," Shanahan said via Vrentas. "They are loose and feeling good, and they had fun with it. We'll see how it is when we watch film."
The 49ers will hold one final walk-through on Saturday morning before touring Hard Rock Stadium, the site of their Super Bowl LIV matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The two teams kick off on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. PT (6:30 p.m. ET).