Day 1: Quick notes from 49ers minicamp practice

The San Francisco 49ers started their two-day mandatory minicamp, holding the first practice on Tuesday. Reporters were allowed to observe the session, and there were several noteworthy takeaways.

QB competition? Not yet

Trey Lance and Sam Darnold are rotating first-team reps during practices. Tuesday was Darnold's turn. Wednesday will be Lance's opportunity.


Head coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't view minicamp as a quarterback battleground. The 49ers are just trying to prepare their players for training camp, when the real competitions will begin.

"That's what you try to provide all this stuff for, just to give guys a chance to learn the offense, get their timing, get everything," Shanahan said. "So now, when they go to training camp, they're ready to compete, and that's truly where I see the competition starting."

First look at Javon Hargrave

Nick Bosa is excited to see what the combination of Arik Armstead and Javon Hargrave will look like in 2023. A dominant interior makes things easier on the outside for Bosa, last season's NFL Defensive Player of the Year.


The 49ers are easing their prized free-agent acquisition into action. This week has been Bosa's first live look at the defensive tackle.

"I'm super excited," Bosa admitted. "We've been watching tape on him the past few years in Philly, and I think every time we watched him, [defensive line coach] Kris [Kocurek] raves about him or would rave about him. And we think of him as one of the best interior guys in the league, especially rushing passers. To have him on our side is going to be a huge addition for us."

Even though Hargrave was a top free agent, the 49ers pass rusher still feels like his new defensive tackle teammate is underappreciated.

"With all the talent we have on our team, to add a guy who's the top free agent ... to get the top guy, and a guy that I feel like people give him his due, but people don't really know how good he is overall," Bosa said. "... I feel like he isn't quite talked about in the Aaron Donald, top-echelon, Chris Jones [type players], but I think he played like that last year, and throughout his career.

"Him and Arik inside should be pretty fun."

Brock Purdy sighting

Brock Purdy was seen during practice. No, he was not throwing. However, the 49ers have been happy with his recovery progress.


"He's right on pace," Shanahan said. "I think he throws three times a week. I do not sit and watch those. It's part of his process of getting back, and he's continuing right on the track he's always been on. No setbacks, and it's been very good so far."

Participation report

Nick Wagoner of ESPN provided an update on which 49ers players practiced on Tuesday and who sat out the session. Among those working on the side were running back Elijah Mitchell and linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Linebacker Fred Warner was in uniform but did not practice.


Hargrave and tackle Trent Williams got some work in during individual drills on Tuesday. Neither participated in team drills. Bosa didn't participate in any drills at all, keeping the defensive end well-rested.