49ers Training Camp: Storylines after Day 3
How has our favorite team held up so far in these tumultuous times, and what happened on Day 3 when the pads came on?
Image Credit: @49ers/San Francisco 49ers on Twitter
The pads have come on at 49ers training camp, and while this is not exactly a normal year by any means, the familiar storylines that always accompany football this early have arrived with it. The main storyline today is 2nd year wideout Jalen Hurd. We all heard about his knee injury yesterday, and early indications were pointing towards a minor injury, with some reports even indicating that he came back out and continued to practice. Today, his outlook got a whole lot worse. Kyle Shanahan said during today’s press meeting that Hurd “will be back next year” after preliminary diagnosis determined that Hurd had tore his ACL during a non-contact drill. Hurd underwent an MRI this morning and while confirmation has not come out, Shanahan while being asked if they knew if it was a torn ACL, replied with “I’d be surprised if it’s not.” Hurd missed all of last season with the exception of two preseason games, which he had played great in, after sustaining a lower back injury. His injury means has big implications:
Dante Pettis now has had two WRs in front of him on the depth chart get injured. He’s got his best opportunity as a pro to prove himself in a now wide-open WR competition. Pettis has played well so far in training camp, but has not distanced himself from anyone yet.
Brandon Aiyuk will be probably be the #1 WR in Week 1. Bourne is playing lights out, but he is limited as a WR and Shanahan will not be able to do the same things that he could do with Deebo at the #1. Aiyuk can. Aiyuk in a limited sample size has been the best WR in training camp so far and seems to have great chemistry with Garoppolo already.
Fan favorite and locker room favorite, this year’s 7th round pick Jauan Jennings, looks to take over Hurd’s role. He has a similar build to Hurd at 6 foot 4 inches and 215 pounds, and while not nearly as quick or fast as Hurd, Jennings ability to get YAC and break tackles is very good.
Trent Taylor, probably already the favorite to win the slot WR position, is going to see a lot more targets coming his way.
The Trenches
Another big storyline is new 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. The former WFT stalwart had reportedly started camp a little rusty, and facing all-pro edge rusher Nick Bosa was not playing up to his standards early on. Today, that changed, with most if not all sources saying that Williams when the pads came on played much better against Bosa. That battle will be a focal point during training camp. Let’s hope the biggest story with Williams is him shutting down Bosa, not speeding in his Ferrari.
Javon Kinlaw and most of the DL outside of Bosa and Ford have struggled so far. The battle for 3-tech and NT will be very interesting. My best guess? DJ Jones wins the NT job, and Solomon Thomas, not Javon Kinlaw, gets the nod Week 1 at the three-tech. Experience outweighs talent in this shortened and crazy offseason, and while Kinlaw likely gets the starting job later in the season, I think Thomas will get the chance to prove himself inside to begin the season. Arik Armstead is still not participating but should be back soon.
Jimmy and his Supporting Cast
A late round 49ers TE, but not the one you are thinking of. Charlie Woerner, who was considered just a blocking TE (sound familiar) coming out of Georgia has been playing exceptional for a rookie so far, showcasing his route-running and soft hands that were seldom used at Georgia. Beating Fred Warner, arguably the best coverage LB in the league is no joke and Woerner has done it multiple times already.
Gunslinger Jimmy? Garoppolo has made it a focal point so far this offseason to take more shots downfield and they are paying off bigtime, Brandon Aiyuk being the biggest beneficiary so far. Aiyuk has game-breaking speed and route running. This front office does not draft skill positions in the 1st round, instead opting for reinforcing the trenches, but the fact they traded up for Aiyuk in the 1st should already be an indication of his pedigree. Kendrick Bourne is also taking advantage, he caught 2 TDs today.
Shuffling The Secondary
Sherman is the mainstay at CB right now, but both Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley have gotten the nod opposite of him. I’m expecting Ahkello to also get the nod sometime soon next to Sherman as they test everyone out, but it would be shocking if Moseley is not starting Week 1. Saleh and his staff have been testing out more man coverage looks so far, with Sherman even switching to the right side of the field and following WRs. I wonder if this has to do with the new passing defense coordinator coming in. Woods preferred zone as we saw last season, but so far the new guy, Tony Oden, seems to like man a lot more than his predecessor. Tarvarius Moore is playing really well, unlike Witherspoon who has gotten burned a couple times already. Rust is expected however. Ward and Tartt are set in stone essentially as starters. If Tartt stays healthy he is pro-bowl material.
None of you are allowed to be first
I like the part when they came out in shorts