August 9 Training Camp Notes: Kaepernick looks sharp

On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers held their eighth practice since opening training camp on July 30. This practice, like others, started at 10:25 AM. Prior to practice, offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins met with the media to answer questions.

RELATED August 7 Training Camp Notes: Armstead, Buckner suffer minor injuries; Gabbert shines

Here are some notes from Tuesday's practice based on observations by the media.

Quarterbacks

Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group provided some unofficial quarterback stats from the team's 11-on-11 drills.



"Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick improved their practice-field accuracy Tuesday, albeit with mostly short throws to receivers running mostly horizontal routes," said Inman.

"His nicest pass of the day was a back-shoulder throw in the left-hand corner of the end zone to receiver Jerome Simpson, which Simpson set up with a stop-and-go move against cornerback Keith Reaser," said Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee said of Kaepernick. "On the next play, Kaepernick again found Simpson for a touchdown, this time on the other side of the field."

"On Tuesday, Gabbert completed 10-of-12 passes in full-team drills," said Inman. "Of the incompletions, one was intentionally thrown out of bounds because of tight coverage, and the other was broken up by NaVorro Bowman.

"Kaepernick also had only two incompletions (8-of-10 passing), and while one got broken up by Tramaine Brock, the other was dropped by running back Mike Davis."

Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat called it "Kaepernick's best practice of training camp."

"Kaepernick threw three touchdown passes in a receivers-vs.-secondary drill," reports Chris Biderman of Niners Wire. "Two went to Jerome Simpson on consecutive plays, before DeAndrew White ran a wheel route up the right sideline in his first rep after getting stretched out by a trainer on the sideline. Kaepernick was sharp in the session, accurately hitting receivers with throws of varying velocity. It was some of his best work of training camp."

Wide receivers

Jerome Simpson reportedly had a good practice. "He made a high-degree-of-difficulty catch down the sideline against Dontae Johnson on a throw from Gabbert in one-on-one drills," reports Matt Barrows.

Offensive line

Joshua Garnett, who had been working exclusively at right guard, worked at left guard with the second-team unit during practice on Tuesday. "Garnett played at that spot last year at Stanford," reports Matt Barrows. "With Garnett on the left side, Ian Silberman played right guard (next to tackle Anthony Davis) with the second-team unit."

"Garnett's move could mean that Beadles' position is now in question with Tiller strengthening his hold on a starting spot," said Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. "Or it could mean that the 49ers want to give Garnett work on both sides to keep their options open for where he is the best fit for the team's offensive live."

"However, if there's been a weak point on the starting offensive line, it's been left guard Zane Beadles, who's regularly been victimized by Armstead and Buckner during the first week of camp," says Chris Biderman.

"(Garnett) beat fellow first-round pick DeForest Buckner in a one-on-one pass-rush drill," reports Grant Cohn. "Buckner tried to move Garnett with a swim move. Garnett didn't budge."

Defensive line

Charles Haley was on hand for practice and worked with the defensive linemen.

Because of a minor injury to DE Arik Armstead, DE DeForest Buckner worked with the first-team defensive line. Haley spent some time working with Buckner, per Matt Barrows.


First-team defensive line: Buckner, Mike Purcell, Quinton Dial

Linebackers

It was Gerald Hodges' turn to line up at inside linebacker next to NaVorro Bowman. "Hodges broke up a pass to running back DuJuan Harris in seven-on-seven drills," reports Matt Barrows.

Cornerbacks

"Will Redmond, wearing a brace on his rebuilt right knee, broke up a Gabbert pass intended for DeAndrew White on an out route," said Cam Inman.

Safeties

"Jaquiski Tartt went through he most extensive practice to date," reports Matt Barrows. "The 49ers spent a lot of time with a three-safety alignment -- Tartt, Antoine Bethea and Eric Reid." Tartt had started training camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury list.

Injuries

Arik Armstead, who appeared to injury his shoulder on Sunday, was in uniform for practice but held out of team drills.

WR DeAndre Smelter was limited in practice as well.

"(Colin Kaepernick) spent the second teaching period lying on the ground while a trainer stretched his throwing shoulder," reports Grant Cohn of the Press Democrat. "This lasted at least four minutes. At one point Chip Kelly walked over to see what was happening, and Kaepernick eventually jumped to his feet to show he was OK. But as practice went on, he kept shaking his right arm – it clearly bothered him. He threw mostly short passes the rest of the day."

Wednesday's schedule

On Wednesday, the 49ers will hold their only publicly accessible practice of training camp. It will be held at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco. Head coach Chip Kelly is scheduled to meet with the media prior to practice. Players will be made available following practice.

Two members of the 49ers Webzone staff will be on hand with media access to cover the event.

Related News

• 49ers TCD8: Kaepernick sharp in red zone; Garnett switches sides Sacramento Bee • Aug 9, 2016
• 11 Observations from 49ers Training Camp: Aug. 9 49ers.com • Aug 9, 2016
• 49ers training camp report, Day 8: Kaepernick tweaks throwing shoulder Press Democrat • Aug 9, 2016
• 49ers practice 8: Rookie guard Garnett moves to left side NBCS Bay Area • Aug 9, 2016
• 49ers training camp report Day 8: Kaepernick efficient in red zone Niners Wire • Aug 9, 2016