On Thursday, Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette, the No. 4 overall pick, made an impressive exhibition debut and declared this NFL stuff was a cinch. On Friday, 49ers rookie defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, the No. 3 overall pick, made an impressive exhibition debut and was given the chance to channel his inner Leonard: In a 27-17 preseason win over Kansas City, Thomas set the tone with a quarterback pressure that led to an interception on his first snap. Offensive-minded head coach Kyle Shanahan wasn't as focused on the defense, but he acknowledged he noticed Thomas. Midway through the first quarter, on his first snap, Thomas shoved starting right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif backward and pressured quarterback Tyler Bray, who floated a short pass that was intercepted by cornerback Rashard Robinson. Thomas later got right guard Bryan Witzmann off balance with a bull-rush and sped past him to pressure Bray, whose hurried throw was batted down by linebacker Aaron Lynch. Shanahan said the 49ers didn't plan to play Thomas that much, but a groin injury to defensive tackle Ronald Blair factored into his playing time. Thomas had his neck and shoulder area examined on the...
49ers’ Thomas in no rush to declare arrival after strong debut
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