San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch provided updates on the team’s injury situation during a recent appearance on KNBR, revealing that wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to play in Week 1 and that Jauan Jennings is still without a timetable for his return against Seattle.
Prior to a joint practice with the Denver Broncos, the 49ers made a roster move by signing defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour while releasing cornerback Eli Apple. The team saw a welcome return from defensive end Nick Bosa and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, although former linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Ji’Ayir Brown were absent from practice.
In the joint practice, rookie Jordan Watkins shone brightly, reportedly having one of his best training camp sessions. He excelled in one-on-one matchups, notably scoring a long touchdown against CB Joshua Pickett and finding success against top corner Patrick Surtain. Upton Stout also impressed by drastically turning a challenging matchup against wide receiver Troy Franklin into an interception, showcasing his defensive capabilities.
Despite the Broncos’ defense dominating early in practice, the 49ers’ offense found its footing during the move-the-ball period, with quarterback Brock Purdy overcoming initial struggles to perform well in the red zone—a significant area of focus after the team’s challenges last season. Tight end George Kittle notably beat Surtain downfield, signaling a promising season ahead.
However, it was not all positive for the 49ers. The injury report raised concerns, with rookie defensive end Mykel Williams leaving practice due to a hyperextended knee. Running back Jordan James faces surgery for a broken finger, which will sideline him for several weeks. Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott is dealing with back issues but is expected to return next week. Furthermore, while left tackle Trent Williams participated in practice, he did not take part in team drills, leading to struggles for the offensive line against a tough Broncos front.
Overall, while the injury list poses challenges for the 49ers, bright performances from rookies like Watkins and Stout provide a glimmer of hope as the team heads towards the season opener. With adjustments being made and players stepping up, there remains optimism about the 49ers’ ability to build a competitive team this year.