49ers training camp: Week 1 recap

With the day off on Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers have wrapped up the first week of their 2017 training camp. Here’s a summary from the Niners’ first four days of camp.

The “holdout” is officially over; San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Solomon Thomas signed his rookie contract on the first day of practice. Thomas rushed out to join the team, but wasn’t able to participate in the entire practice — however, he looked good running with the second-team defense later in the week.

Linebacker Reuben Foster was medically cleared for camp and made an immediate impact, intercepting three passes in four days.

The 49ers’ top three safeties are currently injured, but hopefully not for long. Free safety Jimmy Ward was placed on the PUP list, and is week-to-week with a hamstring injury. Ward was replaced by Jaquiski Tartt, who left practice on Monday with an apparent rib injury. Strong safety Eric Reed suffered an ankle sprain, and is day-to-day.

With the 49ers thin at the important safety position, expect the Niners to try to bring in free-agent reinforcements. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie safety Lorenzo Jerome made the most of his opportunities, with a number of positive plays.

LEO Arik Armstead is down to his high school playing weight, and wrecked havoc in the backfield with three quarterback sacks on Saturday.

As expected, LEO Aaron Lynch lost 30 pounds before training camp, and added two sacks to Armstead’s three on Saturday.

Head coach Mike Shanahan told reporters that LEO Elvis Dumervil is “exactly as advertised.” Dumervil provided pressure to opposing quarterbacks, and advice to Thomas over the course of the week.

Running back Carlos Hyde took the majority of the first-team reps, and reportedly slimmed down for his role in 2017. Rookie running back Joe Williams may press Hyde for playing time later in the season, but right now, running back Tim Hightower is Hyde’s biggest challenger.

So far, wide receiver Marquise Goodwin has been the star of 49ers training camp and just can’t stop scoring touchdowns — we may have been on to something in our article about the speedster last month.

Wide receiver Aldrick Robinson has also made an impression with a number of long receptions. On Monday, Robinson bounced back from an early drop to reel in a long touchdown pass later in the day.

Rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor caught everything thrown his way against second-string defenders and may press fellow slot receiver Jeremy Kerley if he can replicate his production against the starting defense.

Fellow wide receiver Pierre Garçon was his normal consistent self, providing a number of catches and big gains over the course of the week’s practices.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer continued to impress with his deep passes, and even surprised Garçon, as reported by Cam Inman of the Mercury News:

“Before I got here, I didn’t know he could throw the ball that far” – Pierre Garçon

While Rashard Robinson has locked down one cornerback spot, the other starting spot is up for grabs between Dontae Johnson and Keith Reaser, who is currently day-to-day with a knee injury. Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon isn’t currently in the starter conversation, and made a number of rookie mistakes during the week.

Tight end Vance McDonald was used as both a blocking tight end and a receiver during practices. Rookie tight end George Kittle had a mixed week that included dropped passes and an amazing one-handed catch. Unfortunately, Kittle left Monday’s practice with a day-to-day hamstring sprain.

Rookie tight end Cole Hikutini replaced Kittle, and quickly became one of the stars of Monday’s practice after a handful of receptions. Meanwhile, Kyle Juszczyk continued his position change from fullback to “offensive weapon,” as he split his time between the running backs and the tight ends.

49ers football is back, and Week 1 of training camp was short but action-packed. The San Francisco 49ers will be off on Tuesday, and will resume practice Wednesday morning.