On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers held their seventh practice since opening training camp on July 30. This practice, like others, started at 10:25 AM. Prior to practice, head coach Chip Kelly met with the media to answer questions.
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Here are some notes from Sunday's practice based on observations by the media.
Injuries
Both Arik Armstead (shoulder) and DeForest Buckner (arm) were injured within a 10-minute span toward the end of practice according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Inman points out that the injuries did not appear to be serious. Neither received attention from the team's medical staff.
#49ers DL Armstead (left shoulder) and Buckner (right arm) hurt in 10-min span near end of practice. Don't appear serious injuries but ???
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 7, 2016
Neither Arik Armstead (shoulder) nor DeForest Buckner (arm) finished #49ers practice, but neither being tended to. Doesn't look serious.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 7, 2016
Armstead told Chris Biderman of Niners Wire that the injury was minor.
WR DeAndre Smelter was receiving treatment and didn't take part in team drills during the second half of practice, per Biderman.
Quarterbacks
"One practice will not decide the 49ers' quarterback competition," said Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. "But Blaine Gabbert had a decidedly better outing during Sunday's session, which was a long, fully padded practice that followed a light session on Saturday."
Barrows reported the following unofficial states for the two top 49ers quarterbacks.
Blaine Gabbert: 9 of 11 during 11-on-11 drills and 11 of 12 during 7-on-7 drills.
Colin Kaepernick: 4 of 10 during 11-on-11 drills and 9 of 13 during 7-on-7 drills.
Ryan Sakamoto of Niner Fans believes that Kaepernick is still telegraphing passes. According to Sakamoto, Gabbert threw two touchdown passes during practice. One, a quick screen to WR Jerome Simpson, was during 11-on-11 drills. During that drive, Gabbert was 4 of 5 passing with his only incompletion coming from a tipped ball by DeForest Buckner at the line of scrimmage.
During Gabbert's first touchdown drive, which was during 7-on-7 drills, Gabbert was reportedly 7 of 8 passing, targeted six different wide receivers, and found TE Blake Bell, who was going against ILB Gerald Hodges, for the score.
* Note: Today is Blake Bell's birthday.
"[Kaepernick] had trouble on third downs in the team scenarios," reports Barrows. "His last pass, a 3rd-and-7 throw along the sideline to Simpson, nearly was picked off by cornerback Keith Reaser. On an earlier 3rd-and-long scenario he had to throw the ball away."
There has been no announcement on a starter at quarterback for the team during their exhibition opener against the Houston Texans on August 14.
Wide receivers
"DiAndre Campbell made a lot of catches (with) Gabbert at (quarterback)," said Chris Biderman via Twitter.
"DiAndre Campbell had a big day, catching eight passes (by my count) in seven-on-seven and team situations," added Matt Barrows. "One of them was a first-down grab on a throw from Gabbert on 3rd and 8."
"One of the top five receivers in camp so far," said Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat regarding Campbell.
Barrows stated that the best receiver continues to be Torrey Smith, who is a near lock to start the season as the team's number one receiver.
Grant Cohn called Quinton Patton the best route-runner on the team. "Consistently beats man-to-man coverage on the outside, he said. "Made four catches today during team drills and beat Jimmie Ward with a post route for a deep touchdown catch during 1 on 1s."
"Slot receiver Bryce Treggs, an undrafted Cal product, caught three consecutive passes from Thad Lewis in third-string action," reports Cam Inman.
Tight ends
"(Bruce Miller) beat NaVorro Bowman with a corner route for a long catch, and beat Jimmie Ward with a crossing route for a short catch," said Grant Cohn. "Made four catches total. Seems like the front-runner to be the starting move tight end on first and second down."
Defensive line
DeForest Buckner continues to impress, breaking up a Blaine Gabbert pass at the line of scrimmage.
#49ers DE DeForest Buckner continues to display pass rush skills. Got PBU at LOS vs Gabbert. #49ersBeastWriter #SpotSakamoto #NinerFans
— Ryan Sakamoto (@SakamotoRyan) August 7, 2016
First-team lineup from left to right: Armstead, Mike Purcell, and Quinton Dial.
"This seems to be the team's top run-defending group," reports Matt Barrows. "Dial was particularly hard to move during run-blocking drills."
"(Armstead is) unmovable in the running game," said Grant Cohn. "Faced Trent Brown and Andrew Tiller during a 2-on-1 run-blocking drill and held his ground against both of them."
Linebackers
Chris Biderman posted the following interesting video of linebacker drills prior to practice.
#49ers linebacker drills before practice pic.twitter.com/xzerlzf9HA
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) August 7, 2016
It was Michael Wilhoite's turn to line up inside next to Bowman.
Ryan Sakamoto believes that the defense's pass rush from the outside linebacker spot still needs some work and that the team may need to rely more on some additional blitzers – possibly from the cornerbacks.
"(Bowman was) beaten badly in coverage twice – once by Bruce Miller on a deep corner route, and once by Shaun Draughn on a shallow option route," reports Grant Cohn. "Both times, Bowman was nowhere near the receiver when he caught the pass."
Cornerbacks
CB Keith Reaser broke up two passes, but dropped what Ryan Sakamoto called an "easy" interception against WR Jerome Simpson. Chris Biderman called today's practice a "good day for Keith Reaser."
Jimmie Ward played inside in the nickel role for this practice.
According to Sakamoto, CB Rashard Robinson got some more work in at the left cornerback spot. "Continues to look natural as press-corner but now working on inside/outside leverage," said Sakamoto.
Torrey Smith has been mostly working against Tramaine Brock, who is likely to start the season as the team's top cornerback. Matt Barrows called their battles "among the most interesting to watch" during practices.
Tuesday's schedule
Monday is a day off for the players. No practice is scheduled.
On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins is scheduled to meet with the media at 10:10 AM. The team's practice, which is open to reporters, is scheduled to follow at 10:25 AM. Players will be made available following practice.
