49ers training camp: Mason, Mitchell return to practice; Cowing shines

On Wednesday, the San Francisco 49ers held their 19th training camp practice. The team is preparing for Friday's preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Here are some highlights from the 12:20 p.m. PT practice at the SAP Performance Facility, compiled from various sources.

Noteworthy non-participants

• WR Brandon Aiyuk (hold-in)
• OL Aaron Banks (finger)
• DT Kalia Davis (knee)
• OL Jon Feliciano (knee)
• WR Danny Gray
• S Tayler Hawkins
• WR Jauan Jennings (oblique)
• RB Christian McCaffrey (calf)
• WR Ricky Pearsall (shoulder)
• WR Trent Taylor
• CB Ambry Thomas (forearm)
• P Mitch Wishnowsky (knee)
• CB Isaac Yiadom (ankle)

Unavailable players

• LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles)
• S Talanoa Hufanga (knee)
• DE Drake Jackson (knee, season-ending)

• OL Pat Elflein (calf)

• T Trent Williams (hold out)

Quick notes

Offensive lineman Spencer Burford continues to be eased back into action, participating in limited drills and sitting out team activities. With the offensive line banged up, Nick Zakelj and Ben Bartch rotated at left guard.

Running backs Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) and Jordan Mason (hip) returned to practice, resuming their competition for the RB2 spot. They rejoined Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor, who returned on Tuesday.

Nick Wagoner of ESPN noted that Mason didn't waste any time in his first practice back, taking the first carry and showing no signs of lingering issues. However, he did let a short touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy slip through his hands.

Wagoner wrote, "Ball was slightly behind Mason but still a definite drop and one Mason, who spent a lot of time this offseason working on his hands, would like to have back."

While Mitchell didn't help his case for the RB2 job, fumbling the football, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area commented, "Mason, Mitchell and Guerendo appear to be in line to win roster spots behind McCaffrey."

Wide receiver Jacob Cowing has been impressive since returning from a hamstring injury. He nearly caught a deep touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Mordecai while battling cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., but the play was negated due to a false start by offensive lineman Isaac Alarcon. Cowing later found the end zone on a pass from Josh Dobbs.

Grant Cohn of Sports Illustrated counted four catches for Cowing during practice. In addition to the passes from Mordecai and Dobbs, there was a five-yard screen from Purdy and a five-yard curl from Brandon Allen.

Purdy spent much of the practice under pressure from the defense. On his first throw, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir nearly intercepted the pass as Purdy faced pressure from defensive end Nick Bosa.

Wagoner reported that Purdy completed six of his 12 pass attempts, taking three would-be sacks—two by Bosa and one by defensive tackle Kevin Givens. Purdy missed five of his final six throws.

Cohn highlighted Dobbs' success in the red zone, noting two touchdowns in three plays: a rushing touchdown on a naked bootleg to the right and a touchdown pass to Cowing on a quick out route to the left.

Jake Hutchinson of Audacy reported that Lenoir prevented a touchdown during red zone drills, breaking up a pass from Purdy intended for wide receiver Chris Conley.

Cornerback Renardo Green also stood out, breaking up two passes, including one in tight coverage against Cowing. The versatile rookie has shown the ability to play both inside and outside.

Wagoner also noted an interesting moment during individual drills: "DE Robert Beal took a rep against the sled/dummy and was not pleased with how it came out. Kris Kocurek started to say something but Nick Bosa called Beal over, talked to him about it then showed him the way. Bosa was not a captain last year (largely because he wasn't around when voting took place) but smart money says he is this year."

Bosa finished the day with at least four would-be sacks, according to Hutchinson. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave also made an impact, stopping Mitchell in the backfield on the first play during red zone drills.

Injury updates

No significant injury updates were reported.

Next practice

The practice schedule for next week will be released sometime after Friday's preseason game against the Raiders.

Videos

None of the following videos are from team drills, as the media must stop recording once team drills begin.