Jimmie Ward likely to miss time, but 49ers reinforcements coming

Several San Francisco 49ers players spoke with reporters following Tuesday's practice, the first of organized team activities (OTAs) that was open to the media. Below are some noteworthy updates from those players that weren't already covered here. Danny Gray = Speed Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was asked to share his first impressions of rookie Danny Gray, the receiver selected in the third round of the draft. "He can fly," Aiyuk said. "But also, he came in, he's ready to learn. He's ready to work. I like him." Aiyuk has done his homework on Charvarius Ward Aiyuk admitted to doing some homework on the 49ers' biggest free-agent signing, Charvarius Ward, knowing that he would have to face the cornerback in

San Francisco 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner spoke with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero following the NFL's schedule release yesterday. The Pro Bowl and All-Pro defender was asked about his disgruntled teammate, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who requested a trade this offseason. Samuel is eligible for a contract extension, but there have been no updates on that front. And the 49ers didn't grant his wish for a trade either. Warner told Pelissero that 49ers teammates, like quarterback Trey Lance and tight end George Kittle, have been in contact with Samuel since the trade request became public last month. Pelissero pressed Warner to reveal his level of confidence that Samuel is playing for the 49ers come Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. "I

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters for the first time since the draft. He stepped up to the podium after Tuesday's practice, the second of organized team activities. Of course, there was no shortage of reporters trying to pry quarterback information from the head coach, who did his best to limit his responses to such questions. That's likely because Shanahan knows how big of an offseason storyline the quarterback situation has become. Most expect second-year quarterback Trey Lance to be the starter, replacing veteran Jimmy Garoppolo. The 49ers hoped to trade Garoppolo by now, but the quarterback undergoing shoulder surgery on March 8 halted any trade talks. Shanahan has suggested that the 49ers would be willing to hold onto

The San Francisco 49ers should be pretty good in 2022, right? Yes, they are entering the upcoming season with a second-year starting quarterback who played just 178 snaps last season, and the interior of the offensive line is uncertain, but the rest of the core remains. San Francisco has been a playoff participant in two of the last three seasons, with an injury-plagued 2020 campaign being the exception. There is still star power with names like George Kittle, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and, hopefully, Deebo Samuel. Winning the NFC West over the favored defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams may be an uphill battle, but surely they will participate in postseason play, right? Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports doesn't believe so. He