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Head coach Kyle Shanahan and several players spoke to reporters after Thursday's practice. Below are some key topics discussed.
Elijah Mitchell health concerns
Elijah Mitchell has dealt with several injuries throughout his two NFL seasons. The running back is one of several players working through injuries in training camp. He is expected to miss over a week due to an abductor strain.
The latest injury led to a question about Mitchell's physical running style and if that has contributed to his inability to stay on the field consistently.
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"So you can't change your style. That's also what makes him great. I don't always think that's what's getting him hurt, either. But he has had some muscle strains and stuff, and I think he got hurt on the exact same day last year in camp. It'll probably help him to be out here a little, about a week and a half, most likely. But Elijah does everything right. He's just been unfortunate with it. So hope we can find the secret remedy as we go."
Young players making strides
Danny Gray looks to rebound from his one-catch 2022 season. The speedy second-year receiver has been impressing his coaches, which could lead to more opportunities during the upcoming season.
"I think he's having a real good camp," Shanahan said. "He put in the work in phase one, two, and three. Was able to get through OTAs working hard and not having an injury, and he obviously spent the 40 days away well because he's catching the ball well, he's in real good shape, and he's been out there very consistently, and the ball came his way a little more today."
Defenders have noticed a difference too.
Shanahan praised another second-year player—running back Jordan Mason.
"I thought Jordan had a great rookie year," the coach said. "[He] helped us out a lot. I think [he's] just understanding the offense better as a whole, getting better in the pass game. I definitely think he's [making] some strides."
Then you have cornerback Ambry Thomas, who many expected to have a big sophomore season last year after showing some promise during his rookie campaign. Thomas ended up playing only 41 defensive snaps last season. However, the defender is making his presence known this offseason.
"I think he's working harder," Shanahan said. "I think he attacked OTAs, phase one, two, and three a lot harder than he did the year before, which made him look so much further ahead in OTAs than he was the last two years. Then he leaves for 40 days, and he comes back, and he looks a little bit better than he did in OTAs. So I think his mindset and everything has been great."
"That's why he was a little bit on the outside looking in last year, but he ended up making it," the coach added. "He competed, and this year, I think he learned what happened to him, and when you just watch out on the field, you can see his urgency and preparations so much better."
Ward has been working with Thomas this offseason, helping him get stronger and improve his technique.
"I believe in A.T.," the cornerback said. "He's got a lot of talent and abilities, so he's just got to keep it up and just know it's a cutthroat business. Just because you were drafted in the third round, it doesn't mean you're going to be a starter on the team. So I try to talk to him about those type of things and motivate him a little bit, and he's definitely becoming more mature and more professional."
Brandon Aiyuk more confident
Everyone is talking about Brandon Aiyuk's impressive training camp. The fourth-year wide receiver is coming off his first 1,000-plus-yard NFL season and could be poised for a breakout 2023 campaign.
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"I think he had a big year last year, and it's good to just have that reassurance and know that you are the player who you thought you were, and that you can do the things that you were brought in here to do," fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. "He's put it on tape. And once you have that, it just instills this confidence in everything you do.
"And it's not even just on the field that I see it from Brandon. It's just walking around the locker room, and his interactions with everybody, and just how he speaks to players, to coaches. He's a confident veteran now, that knows he can accomplish big things out there, and that's awesome to see."
Ward also shared his thoughts on Aiyuk, who he loves going against in practice.
While everyone else talks about Aiyuk's impressive practices like they are something new, Ward remembers how good the wide receiver was last offseason. Although, Aiyuk has been dominating from the start this summer.
"Last year in camp, he kind of eased his way into things," Ward explained. "This year, from day one, he's been doing his thing. So yeah, he's looking good."
Javon Kinlaw continues to impress
Could things be turning around for defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, the former first-round pick who hasn't been able to live up to his draft status? Shanahan has praised the massive 25-year-old defender's efforts this offseason, which continued on Thursday.
"Every year, we're really hoping, Javon, I mean, since we took him, we know how talented he is, and every year we're hoping he can come back and have the health, and play the way that we know he's capable," Shanahan said. "And every year, it's just heartbreaking with how hard he's worked and what happens with him.
"It's hard when you have those three years where you don't have good luck. And to see him having the results of the effort he's put in, you really are pulling for the kid."
Rookie safety impresses the vet
Ji'Ayir Brown was the 49ers' first draft pick this year. The team lacked first and second-round picks, so the safety didn't hear his name called until the third round.
Most expect Brown to eventually replace veteran Tashaun Gipson. Although, the rookie is showing enough promise that he may get worked into a lot of game plans this season.
"Yeah, I think he's a grown man," Charvarius Ward said. "You look at him, he looks like he's been in the league already for a couple of years. I definitely think, in the preseason, when the pads come on, he's going to be smacking people around. His game's really going to show real good. In practice, he might not be making a lot of plays right now, but I know on game days, Sundays, against whoever we play, he's going to be a dog. He's a dog for sure."
