49ers Notebook: Garoppolo’s brace, statuses of Samuel and Armstead, McKinnon looks healthy, 1st-round picks keep pace

Here are some of today's top storylines and some that weren't reported elsewhere on this site, all posted here for your convenience.

Jimmy Garoppolo's brace makes headlines

The San Francisco 49ers held their first practice of training camp, and head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked about Jimmy Garoppolo's brace, which he wore today but had not been wearing during earlier walk-throughs.

Shanahan explained that he isn't too concerned with whether or not his quarterback wears a brace.

"If he was coming right off his ACL, I'd probably be like, 'Why aren't you wearing one?'" Shanahan said. "But players, after they get through it, that's up to a player. Some guys feel like it can hurt them more. Some people think it helps. But I'm not going to pretend that I know that. That's his body, that's his knee, and everyone's different."

Other practice notes

Below are some other notes from today's practice.

Shanahan cautiously optimistic about Deebo Samuel's availability for Week 1

Shanahan sounded cautiously optimistic about the potential availability of his second-year receiver, Deebo Samuel.

"I think we're hoping for Week 1 (but) not counting on it," Shanahan said.

49ers being cautious with Arik Armstead as he deals with back stiffness

Defensive lineman Arik Armstead did not practice due to some back stiffness. Shanahan didn't sound too concerned, though, saying that he would call his status day-to-day.

The coach says his defender probably could have practiced if they really needed him to, but the team wants to be smart. The 49ers hope to have him available for the next block of practices, which begin on Thursday.

Jerick McKinnon finally looks healthy

Shanahan feels running back Jerick McKinnon finally looks healthy after enduring a setback a year ago in his recovery from an ACL injury.

"It's still the first day, the first step, but you can tell that it healed right," Shanahan said. "And you can tell Jet's put that work in and you feel all this that he's gone through in the last two years. I feel he's finally in a position where he has a chance to have this comeback now, and everyone's pulling for him. He's as good of a guy there is on our team, and he had a real good first day of practice."

Why no contract extension announcement for John Lynch?

Some questioned why the 49ers failed to release an official announcement about general manager John Lynch's contract extension.

"A handshake and a signed contract is good enough for me," Lynch said, "but I guess at some point we should probably release something."

Lynch explained that the 49ers had been so focused in recent weeks on other things, like the start of training camp and getting tight end George Kittle's extension done.

"This is a player's league," Lynch said. "It's about the players."

Rest assured, the deal is done.

"I signed, I think I signed two weeks ago," Lynch added. "[CEO Jed York] and I shook hands and signed the deal."

Garoppolo/Kittle '20

Kittle wore a "Garoppolo/Kittle '20" shirt during his video conference call with reporters.

"It's just one of those things I get in the mail," Kittle joked. "I just keep it in my locker for a good occasion."

Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk keep pace

The 49ers two first-round picks, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, were able to keep up with the veterans during the team's first full-speed outing on the practice field.

"Kinlaw began Saturday's session with the second-team defense, but he also was working with the first-stringers at times," wrote Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "With Arik Armstead out, Kinlaw was part of a four-man rotation on the interior with D.J. Jones, Solomon Thomas and Kevin Givens."

Added Barrows: "Brandon Aiyuk, meanwhile, was part of the group practicing punt returns. On offense, he caught a short pass from Jimmy Garoppolo during seven-on-seven drills and also a longer one from Nick Mullens."