SANTA CLARA — Welcome to the Week 2 of the 49ers’ preseason. If that doesn’t thrill you, then perhaps these answers from our social media mailbag will:
How would you compare the vibe of this training camp to the one in 2020 after they lost the Super Bowl? (@mark.shapiro.80)
The 2020 season is incomparable. COVID health protocols delayed the start of camp until mid-August. Fans were not allowed to watch practices. Injuries didn’t mount until the regular season, although Jalen Hurd’s knee injury early in camp ended fans’ misguided hopes he might amount to something. And George Kittle’s contract situation was resolved before the first padded practice.
I have this feeling of a Super Bowl hangover. Are you getting that feeling, too? (@devildawg0801)
Not quite yet. Casting a strange pall over this camp are a rash of mild injuries, and the well-documented absences of Aiyuk and Williams. Most starting jobs already are set. This is a veteran squad that’s come into camp four of the past five years having to get over a painful postseason exit.
“There’s enough returning people who realize what’s at stake,” wide receiver Chris Conley said. “There are new guys here who are extremely talented, who want to contribute, who are learning the style of play that’s the hallmark of this team and our standards.”
Media keeps talking about B.A. but … real fans want to know: What’s the latest on Trent Williams? (@49ers_34)
Perhaps everyone is taking for granted that Williams eventually will report with a reworked contract, putting him back in line with the highest-paid offensive tackles. When? Before the season starts Sept. 9. The 49ers reworked Christian McCaffrey’s deal in June to reward him with more guaranteed money, and Williams figures to follow suit, unless the three-time reigning All-Pro wants to bully the 49ers’ bankroll.
Do you think Brandon Allen will be the backup quarterback when the regular season starts? (@JwalizerJr)
Ah, the “B.A.” who is practicing! He has shown enough system knowledge and in-game moxie to take root in the No. 2 role ahead of Josh Dobbs, who did come on strong in the fourth quarter of his 49ers debut Saturday. It’d be helpful to see Tanner Mordecai in the final two preseason games and gauge whether he could snag the No. 3 role a la Brock Purdy in 2022.
How do you see the running back room stacking up for the opening-day roster? (@michael_budd)
McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, although Isaac Guerendo looks close to returning from his Day 1 hamstring strain in camp. Cody Schrader, Matt Breida, and an injured Patrick Taylor have been preseason soldiers.
Who is a dark horse at wide receiver that you think can sneak into that sixth spot? (@MohammadHRizvi)
Chris Conley. That could depend on Aiyuk’s status at split end. Rookie Jacob Cowing’s health concerns cast a cloud over his reliability, more so than first-round pick Ricky Pearsall (shoulder, hamstring). Trent Taylor is the safest and best option as a punt returner. So five spots are presumably reserved for Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Pearsall and Taylor. Lugging seven receivers through final cuts is a stretch, but possible.
Who’s hurt? (@fttbcarlos)
Enough players have health issues that the 49ers scrubbed this week’s joint practices with the New Orleans Saints in Irvine. While 23 players were kept out of Thursday’s light practice, don’t be too alarmed. None of the projected starters – including Christian McCaffrey (calf) and Fred Warner (foot) — are hurt enough to call their Week 1 availability into question. We’ll update a medical chart for your perusal this season, though.
Will any of our starters play against New Orleans? (@theresabaylee)
Don’t know yet. The 49ers seem extra cautious about exposing their mainstays to injuries. This camp’s variety of health issues don’t seem unusual. So don’t pin them on the fact that Ben Peterson left this offseason as their head of health and performance, with his duties being divvied up to Dustin Little (head trainer) and Dustin Perry (head of strength and conditioning).
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Will they look to in-house solutions or free agents to fill Ambry Thomas’ role? (@mattyb4949)
Thomas’ roster spot seemed in doubt even before he fractured his right forearm Saturday night. Knock on wood but the 49ers’ cornerback depth is the best it has been in years. Behind Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir are Isaac Yiadom, Darrell Luter Jr., Rock Ya-Sin, Chase Lucas and Sam Womack. Thomas, who’s entering the final year of his rookie deal, is a candidate to go on Injured Reserve or be waived/injured, yet no move has been made.
What did you have for lunch today? (@fuzyjoe)
A $2 steak, per Jim Harbaugh’s old Yelp recommendation.
