May 25 OTA News Roundup: Jimmie Ward continues to start at CB, other notes

The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their second week of organized team activities (OTAs) yesterday. Today was the first day that the media had access to observe the team.

There is no live contact permitted during OTAs. 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills with helmets are permitted, but cannot exceed six hours per day with a maximum of two hours on the field for any one player.

The following are some interesting observations from team beat writers.

Ryan Sakamoto of Ninerfans.com reported that WR Devon Cajuste, who left the practice field last week with a right leg injury, did not start off today's practice with the rest of the team. Instead, he was on the side getting loose on a bike. Cajuste was one of the first undrafted free agents signed by San Francisco.

OLB Ahmad Brooks was also on the side as he recovers from a minor injury, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.

Sakamoto also notes that OLB Aaron Lynch is looking "better and better" and posted the following video.


During his first press conference with the media today, new 49ers defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil identified DB Jimmie Ward as one of the defense's top 11 players. Ward had spent a lot of time working at the starting cornerback position during last week's practices and O'Neil stated that would continue this week. He started at right cornerback today during the 49ers' practice, per Eric Branch of San Francisco Chronicle. "He's a guy I know we have to get on the field," said O'Neil while discussing Ward.


Chris Biderman of Niners Wire stated that Ward never moved inside to the nickel position and that Chris Davis played in the slot for most of the session. Last week, Ward would move inside when the 49ers moved to their nickel defense. That was not the case today.

Tank Carradine continues to get time at the outside linebacker position. Sakamoto seemed impressed with how he looked during practice. O'Neil stated today that Carradine, a second round selection by the 49ers in 2013, would pull double duty in the team meeting rooms, spending time with both the linebackers and defensive lineman. He will be working as an edge rusher on passing downs and at outside linebacker the rest of the time.


WR Eric Rogers, who Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area identified yesterday as a receiver to keep an eye on, continues to impress in practice.


The 49ers fast pace continues to be apparent throughout practice.


Rookie QB Jeff Driskel spent a good amount of time working with the punt return unit today, per Biderman. No, he was not retuning punts, just working with the team.

DE DeForest Buckner, another rookie, reportedly looked good at practice, per Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group, despite working with the third string team.


Joe Fann of 49ers.com pointed out what he thought were the offensive and defensive highlights of today's practice session.



The 49ers also hosted two special fans at practice today, per Fann.


The media had a chance to meet with some of the players following practice. Apparently, there was a small skirmish at practice today, according to Inman, and CB Rashard Robinson had to be restrained. Robinson said it was a "heat of moment" thing and "it's cool." The skirmish was between Robinson and WR Jerome Simpson, but Biderman described the incident as "minor."


Robinson also stated that his weight is at 185 lbs now, up from 171 in February. His goal is 190, per Barrows.

O'Neil spoke of the three-man race between Ray-Ray Armstrong, Michael Wilhoite, and Gerald Hodges for the inside linebacker spot next to NaVorro Bowman. Hodges and Armstrong spoke to the media about the competition.