49ers training camp: Guerendo, Green step up in first practice back

The San Francisco 49ers held their 16th training camp practice on Tuesday, as they gear up for their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The 49ers made a couple of roster moves ahead of practice. They signed QB Nate Sudfeld to a one-year deal and placed RB Patrick Taylor Jr. on the injured reserve list. Taylor suffered a fractured shoulder in the preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

RELATED 49ers injury news: Dominick Puni, Mac Jones suffered knee sprains, other updates

Sudfeld was signed as insurance after QB Mac Jones sustained a knee sprain against the Raiders. The injury is not believed to be serious.

Here are some key highlights from the 11:30 a.m. PT practice at the SAP Performance Facility, compiled from multiple media reports.

Noteworthy non-participants

• LG Ben Bartch (elbow)
• DE Robert Beal Jr. (abductor)
• LB Stone Blanton
• CB Tre Brown (heel)
• DT Kevin Givens (pectoral)
• S Richie Grant (knee)
• RB Jordan James (broken finger)
• WR Jauan Jennings (calf)
• QB Mac Jones (knee)
• RB Corey Kiner (high-ankle)
• CB Fabian Moreau
• RG Dominick Puni (knee)
• CB Upton Stout (calf)
• WR Jordan Watkins (high-ankle)
• DT CJ West
• DL Mykel Williams (knee)
• LT Trent Williams

DE Nick Bosa (neck soreness), DT Jordan Elliott (back), CB Renardo Green (hamstring), RB Isaac Guerendo (shoulder), S Jason Pinnock (heel), and DE Sam Okuayinonu (groin) returned to practice on Tuesday.

After practice, head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the returns of Guerendo and Green.

"Yeah, both of those guys, it was real good to get back, and they stayed back," Shanahan said. "I'm always nervous with those guys the first time, but that's why we put them through a big protocol before they can get back.

"And Guerendo was about letting his shoulder heal, but he was able to keep his conditioning great because it was just a shoulder injury.

"And Renardo's being a hamstring took a lot longer, but that's where, in a normal protocol, he might've been back last week, but we were a lot safer with him making sure they could be full-go by this week."

Unavailable players

Physically unable to perform (PUP)

• WR Brandon Aiyuk (ACL/MCL)
• DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee)
• S Malik Mustapha (ACL)

Non-football injury (NFI)

• QB Kurtis Rourke (ACL)

Injured reserve (IR)

• OL Andre Dillard (ankle)
• DE Tarron Jackson (neck)
• RB Patrick Taylor Jr. (shoulder)
• WR Trent Taylor (back)
• CB Tre Tomlinson (undisclosed)

San Francisco reached injury settlements with WR Equanimeous St. Brown (foot) and RB Ameer Abdullah (ribs), removing them from IR and the roster.

Injury updates

WR Jacob Cowing appeared uncomfortable following an incomplete pass. There was no update on his status.

WR Jauan Jennings, RB Jordan James, and LG Ben Bartch were working off to the side. Bartch wore a brace on his right arm.

DL Mykel Williams was close to returning this week.

"We're still looking at him as day-to-day, but definitely hoping for him by next week," Shanahan said.

Tryouts

The 49ers worked out three guards, with Puni expected to miss practice time:

• Michael Dunn
• Chasen Hines
• Carter O'Donnell

Offensive notes

RB Christian McCaffrey had a lighter workload and did not participate in team drills.

RB Isaac Guerendo was heavily involved, carrying the ball eight times and catching multiple passes. He made a notable play down the right sideline as CB Chase Lucas was unable to close in time.

Nick Zakelj started at left guard (Bartch out), and rookie Connor Colby started at right guard (Puni out). Zakelj and Spencer Burford are potential Week 1 options if Puni, who suffered a knee sprain against the Raiders, is unavailable.

When asked if the 49ers are concerned about Puni's Week 1 status, Shanahan said, "There's a concern, but I know he's got a chance to, also."

WR Ricky Pearsall continued to shine, making several catches, including a deep sideline reception against S Ji'Ayir Brown.

TE George Kittle made multiple catches, including a sideline grab over LB Luke Gifford. Pearsall and Kittle are emerging as Brock Purdy's go-to targets, which could set them up for big seasons.

QB Carter Bradley received the bulk of reps when Purdy was off the field. ESPN's Nick Wagoner noted he had "some ugly throws that just sailed on him."

QB Nate Sudfeld was limited in his first practice after signing on Tuesday.

When asked about the quarterback plan against the Chargers, Shanahan said, "I haven't decided yet. I initially planned on playing some guys. To be honest, I'm getting less on that right now, especially with Mac being out. That's why we brought in Nate, too, because I know we're going to want at least two other guys to play besides Brock, if he does go. But I'll decide on that after these next two practices."

Defensive notes

DE Nick Bosa and S Jason Pinnock returned to practice but did not participate in team drills.

CB Renardo Green returned to practice and looked strong, breaking up a pass from Purdy intended for WR Jacob Cowing on the second play of team drills.

Rookie CB Jakob Robinson broke up a pass intended for Pearsall, while S Ji'Ayir Brown appeared to intercept a throw intended for WR Malik Turner (it could have been a sack before the ball was thrown). Brown is competing with rookie S Marques Sigle for a starting spot.

The defensive line was effective at pressuring Purdy. DT Evan Anderson beat C Jake Brendel for what likely would have been a sack. Purdy connected with Guerendo for a big gain, but it was after the defensive lineman reached him. DT Jordan Elliott had multiple would-be sacks, and S Jaylen Mahoney recorded a clean blitz sack.

Special teams notes

K Jake Moody was perfect on all four field goal attempts, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. Wagoner had him doing even better, counting five field goals made.

Next practice

The 49ers will practice again on Wednesday, August 20, at 11:15 a.m. PT. Their final full practice of the week will be on Thursday.

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