The San Francisco 49ers held their 17th training camp practice on Wednesday, as they prepare for their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Before practice, the 49ers added depth to the roster by signing OL Michael Dunn and WR Malik Knowles to one-year deals. To make room, the team released DE Demone Harris and waived/injured RB Corey Kiner, who is expected to miss over a month due to a high-ankle sprain.
Here are some key highlights from the 11:15 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)
- WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring)
- DT Kevin Givens (pectoral)
- S Richie Grant (knee)
- RB Jordan James (broken finger)
- WR Jauan Jennings (calf)
- QB Mac Jones (knee)
- CB Fabian Moreau
- RG Dominick Puni (knee)
- CB Upton Stout (calf)
- WR Malik Turner
- WR Jordan Watkins (high-ankle)
- DT CJ West
- DL Mykel Williams (knee)
LT Trent Williams returned after a rest day on Tuesday.
Injury updates
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that WR Jacob Cowing suffered a setback with his hamstring on Tuesday and could not practice.
LG Ben Bartch continued to work on the side while wearing a large brace on his right arm.
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)
Offensive notes
LT Trent Williams got significant reps after resting Tuesday and looked close to midseason form.
With Bartch and Puni out, Nick Zakelj started at left guard, while rookie Connor Colby filled in at right guard.
QB Brock Purdy connected with RB Christian McCaffrey for a one-handed touchdown in red zone drills. McCaffrey also turned a gap into a long rushing touchdown with strong blocking from teammates.
WR Ricky Pearsall had an up-and-down practice. S Marques Sigle broke up a pass from Purdy to Pearsall early in team drills. However, Pearsall still finished with four catches.
Pearsall landed awkwardly after a pass from Purdy and looked like he had injured his right shoulder. The good news is that the second-year wideout was able to return to practice quickly.
"The second-year player, who must have suffered a stinger, was only off the field for one play, catching a pass for a touchdown upon his return," wrote NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan.
Purdy had a nice throw over the middle to WR Robbie Chosen, and threw touchdowns to Pearsall, WR Terique Owens, and TE George Kittle, while also finishing with a couple of interceptions. LB Dee Winters hauled in one of those picks after a tip.
Backup QBs Carter Bradley and Nate Sudfeld saw plenty of work in Mac Jones' absence. Bradley was walking gingerly after players rolled into him on a would-be sack by DE Jaylon Allen. However, he was able to finish practice.
"The craziest play of the day was a pass from Carter Bradley that was deflected by Siran Neal in the flat," wrote Chan. "The ball popped up into the air and into the awaiting hands of Luke Farrell for a completion."
While Sudfeld connected with WR Demarcus Robinson for a touchdown, he tossed an interception to LB Jalen Graham and missed on several passes.
Defensive notes
DE Nick Bosa was limited for the second consecutive day since his return from neck soreness. He did not participate in team drills.
CB Deommodore Lenoir broke up passes during red zone and one-on-one drills. The targets were WRs Isaiah Hodgins and Ricky Pearsall.
Rookie DT Alfred Collins powered his way past OL Nick Zakelj and C Jake Brendel during one-on-one pass rush drills. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh discussed Collins' progress in practices after missing so much time this offseason with an injury.
"His legs are getting under him," Saleh said. "I know he didn't love the game he had against Vegas, but love the way he's bounced back this week. He's done a really nice job this week, especially in the run game. You could just see the violence and the strain we saw in college is starting to show up little by little. I know he wants some of those plays back from the Vegas game, but his trajectory is still going in the right direction."
DT Evan Anderson also showed progress, winning matchups against Zakelj, Colby, and newcomer Michael Dunn.
Next practice
The 49ers will practice again on Thursday, August 21, at 11:25 a.m. PT—their final full practice of the week.
Social media: 49ers practice updates
49ers WR Jacob Cowing did not practice. He appeared to sustain a lower-body injury in practice Tuesday. His condition is not immediately known.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 20, 2025
No #49ers returned from injury at today's practice.
New additions to list of those not practicing were both at WR: Jacob Cowing and Malik Turner.
OT Trent Williams back after a rest day.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 20, 2025
To add to this: WR Jacob Cowing missed today's practice while Ricky Pearsall appeared to dodge an arm/shoulder injury when he collided with a CB in the end zone. Pearsall was checked out by trainers, went back in and later caught a TD. That is, he appeared OK. https://t.co/6YRXJMu0FP
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 20, 2025
Notes and observations from #49ers practice No. 17:
- Another relatively warm day as the Niners went for just under two hours in what will be their most strenuous practice of the week. They actually did some one-on-ones today after skipping recently because of the lack of…
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 20, 2025