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49ers open practice windows for Elijah Mitchell, Azeez Al-Shaair, Colton McKivitz
Nov 7, 2022 at 11:18 AM
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The San Francisco 49ers exit their bye week looking to get healthier and make a run in the second half of the season. That will start on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium.
As expected, the team is gearing up to get some previously injured players back. The 49ers have opened the practice windows for three players—running back
Elijah Mitchell, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and offensive lineman
Colton McKivitz.
Mitchell could return to the football field as early as this weekend. Al-Shaair may be a couple of weeks away, depending on his rehab progress. All three suffered MCL sprains. Mitchell landed on injured reserve on September 13. San Francisco placed Al-Shaair on injured reserve on October 3 and McKivitz on October 8.
RELATED Samuel, Juszczyk, others return to practice for 49ers
The team must make decisions on each player within 21 days. Failure to activate a player off injured reserve by then will result in that player remaining on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
The 49ers also officially announced the signing of wide receiver Tajae Sharpe to the practice squad, which
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo first reported. The team released tight end
Troy Fumagalli to make room on the practice squad.
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49ers OL coach Chris Foerster on RT Colton McKivitz: "The job is his coming into it"
By Rohan Chakravarthi
Jun 1
The San Francisco 49ers had a significant change this offseason, letting go of several key starters, such as Mike McGlinchey and Jimmie Ward, who earned lucrative multi-year deals elsewhere.
That left the 49ers with a void at the right tackle position, where the team didn't add any significant talent in free agency or the NFL Draft, meaning that Colton McKivitz is the odds-on favorite to be the starter at the position.
Speaking to the media for the first time this offseason, offensive line coach Chris Foerster praised the swing tackle, pointing out his value in spot duty and that it's McKivitz's job to lose, which should help build his confidence in a crucial year.
"Colton, he's done a great job for us through the years he's been here,"
Day 1: Quick notes from 49ers minicamp practice
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QB competition? Not yet
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49ers Notebook: Javon Hargrave's first 49ers thoughts; Trent Williams' weird late-night workout schedule; Wilks on DBs; Deommodore Lenoir wants to be elite
The 49ers ended their offseason workout program on Wednesday with their final session of mandatory minicamp. But before they made their way out the door for the summer, the team gave fans and reporters one last dose of info in the form of the final media sessions of the spring.
Among those speaking to reporters on Wednesday were defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, left tackle Trent Williams and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, as well as defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Each session produced some interesting tidbits, which we'll review in this version of 49ers notebook.
Hargrave speaks
Despite being the splash free agent addition of the offseason for the 49ers, Javon Hargrave had not met with the team's beat reporters in person before Wednesday.
PFF: 49ers' elite roster is reason for optimism despite "up in the air" QB situation
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus went through all 32 NFL teams and picked a reason for optimism for each heading into the 2023 season. For example, last season's five-win Denver Broncos got a new Super Bowl-winning head coach in Sean Payton. Kenny Pickett could be ready for a second-year leap with the Pittsburgh Steelers (Hopefully, not in Week 1, though).
What's the reason for optimism for the San Francisco 49ers? Sikkema admits that picking just one reason is challenging, so he went with the team's elite roster. San Francisco has stockpiled talented playmakers at almost every level.
"Yes, their quarterback situation is still up in the air," wrote Sikkema. "But
