Outside of an injury update for safety Jimmie Ward, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed a number of other players during a press conference held following the team's first practice of training camp.

Below are some of the players who Shanahan discussed while addressing Bay Area media on Friday

Jaquiski Tartt


Jaquiski Tartt filled in for Ward during Friday's practice.

"I think he's come a long way since we first got here," Shanahan said. "He's gotten in great shape. He did that throughout phase one, two, and three. He came back yesterday even in better shape. I'm really excited about him. He's a guy who can run and hit. We'll see how he plays in the system and how fast he can play once he gets out there."

Tim Hightower


Following the 2011 season, running back Tim Hightower missed three NFL seasons due to an infection in his surgically-repaired left knee. Over the past two seasons – both with the New Orleans Saints – Hightower has played in 24 games and started four. In those games, he has carried the football 229 times for 923 yards rushing and eight touchdowns.

"We're giving Tim an opportunity as much as everyone else," Shanahan said.


"I had Tim in Washington for four games," Shanahan continued. "He did real good in those four games. He had a real bad injury, tearing his ACL...I remember when I went to Cleveland, I tried to get him out there for a workout. I don't think I could but I definitely tried. I tried the same in Atlanta too so he's a guy that we've been waiting to look at."

Shanahan went on to say that he has had an opportunity to see him over the past two seasons since the Falcons played the Saints twice each year.

"If anybody knows Tim, he's a guy that you never count out," Shanahan said.

Solomon Thomas


Shanahan said that rookie defensive lineman, Solomon Thomas, who officially signed his four-year contract on Friday, would be "ready to go" for Saturday's practice.

"If he had gotten in a little bit earlier today, we would have had him go out there today," Shanahan said. "Solomon is a guy who's in shape. I'll talk to (strength and conditioning coach) Ray Wright because he came out towards the beginning of practice. I know Ray worked him out. I believe he took him through our conditioning test."

Reuben Foster


Rookie linebacker Reuben Foster took part in team drills for the first time this offseason. On Wednesday, he was medically cleared to fully participate in training camp practices. Shanahan said that it was good to get Foster, who hauled in the 49ers' first interception of training camp, out there and that he looked good in practice.

"It's good to see him go through it at full speed," Shanahan said.


Brian Hoyer


Brian Hoyer entered training camp as the presumptive starter for the 49ers. While there has been much talk about Hoyer being a bridge quarterback until the 49ers can acquire a franchise player, Hoyer has insisted that his focus is on this season and not beyond.

"Just being around Brian, I think Brian believes in himself," Shanahan said. "Brian wants an opportunity and that's what he's looking for year in and year out...He wants to play and he wants to be out there. I think guys feel that. When guys know that guys are doing everything they can to get in the game, get in the battle, those are guys that people will respond to and play hard for."

Shanahan went on to say that Hoyer knows he has a great opportunity to prove he can be the 49ers' guy at quarterback. The team will focus on 2017 and then reevaluate after that, as they'll do with every player on the roster.

"I just know that I'm happy he's here and I think we've got a quarterback who gives us a chance to win," Shanahan said.

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