The San Francisco 49ers are holding OTAs this week, and Tuesday's practice was open to the media. And while I personally was not there, there were plenty of reports coming out of the practice session, and the media session that followed, for us to be able to pull out some highlights from the day. Keep in mind, these are reports from one unpadded practice. Don't get too excited or discouraged by anything you read or hear.
Let's jump in!
- The 49ers are optimistic that Brock Purdy will be ready by week one but admit that there's no guarantee. Both Purdy and Kyle Shanahan said as much.
- Purdy is scheduled to begin throwing a football next week. Up to this point, he's only been throwing a towel.
The biggest news item from 49ers OTA today is that Brock Purdy is on track to start throwing a football next week. That's about a week earlier than the projection when he had his surgery in March.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) May 23, 2023
- Trey Lance said he wants to play for the 49ers, regardless of all the QB drama, and that he is fully healthy. Lance took all the first-team reps.
- Lance also said he is going back to Dallas to work with private QB coach, Jeff Christensen, after OTAs.
- It sounds like maybe Lance's time with the QB guru has started paying off. There were multiple reports that his throwing mechanics looked better.
First look at Trey Lance and Sam Darnold, 49ers OTAs. Lance's throwing motion does indeed appear more compact pic.twitter.com/fS8KGQU0TX
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 23, 2023
- Sam Darnold took all the second-team snaps. He fumbled one of them.
- Kyle Shanahan said Darnold would get more first-team reps as the off-season rolls along. I struggle to understand why, but Shanahan knows more than I ever will, so I'll keep trusting him.
Kyle Shanahan said Trey Lance has taken all the first-team snaps over the first two OTA practices. But he said that wil "even out" over time. Lance knows the offense, Darnold is picking it up.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) May 23, 2023
- Rookie linebacker Jalen Graham looked really good.
- Rookie linebacker Dee Winters did not.
- I heard great things about rookie tight end Brayden Willis. I didn't hear anything about rookie tight end Cameron Latu.
- Christian McCaffrey is in midseason form.
I thought Christian McCaffrey really set a tone today at OTAs. The 49ers obviously didn't have him yet last year at this time, but CMC practices SO hard — he was flying even in the helmetless 11v11 period. A lot of energy on the field today he generated a good deal of it
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) May 24, 2023
- I expected Nick Bosa and Trent Williams to not show up to OTAs, but I did not expect Deebo Samuel and Talanoa Hufanga to not show up.
Just about everyone was in attendance except for Nick Bosa, Javon Hargrave, Trent Williams and Deebo Samuel.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 23, 2023
- I also didn't expect Javon Hargrave to miss his new team's first OTAs.
- By all accounts, nickel corner Isaiah Oliver was the star of the session, breaking up passes and making things hard on the offense.
The #49ers just held their first open practice of organized team activities. The most impressive player during 7 on 7 was nckelback Isaiah Oliver with several PBUs.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 23, 2023
- Rookie wide receiver Ronnie Bell dominated in the rookie minicamp, and it sounds like he picked up right where he left off, having a great showing on Tuesday. Bell has great hands and catches everything.
WR Ronnie Bell with another great practice on Day 2 of OTAs. Isaiah Oliver impressed in the secondary. #49ers
— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) May 23, 2023
- I read reports that Javon Kinlaw looked lean and healthy, and also read reports that he looks too lean and light. Take that for what you will.
- Both kickers missed from 48. It's only one practice. Do not panic! Everyone remain calm!
Jake Moody and Zane Gonzalez both hit FGs of 33, 38 and 43 yards. Both missed from 48.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) May 23, 2023
- Rookie corner Darrell Luter Jr. made a big play on a deep ball that Darnold underthrew.
- Charvarius Ward did not practice but was in attendance. Taking first-team reps in his place was Samuel Womack III.
- Qwuantrezz Knight did not practice, due to a hand injury.
Those are some of the highlights from this session that the media was able to watch. Next week, there should be another practice open to the media, so we'll be here to pass along what we hear.