SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan called the 49ers players to a meeting Wednesday afternoon with one period remaining in practice.
The training camp was cut short, and officially ended immediately.
The 49ers held their 19th day of practice, and the team appears to be in rest and preparation mode less than three weeks before the 2024 NFL season officially begins.
The camp concluded with two days of unpadded training on Tuesday and Wednesday. The second training session ended about 15 minutes early.
Here are the highlights from the 49ers’ final training camp practice:
Mitchell and Gorindo return
Fullbacks Elijah Mitchell and Isaac Gerindo returned to the practice field this week after missing most of training camp with hamstring injuries.
Mitchell has been the 49ers’ backup since Christian McCaffrey arrived on the scene midway through the 2022 season. The 49ers traded up in April to select Guerendo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
On Wednesday, Jordan Mason lined up in the backfield for the first play of practice. Mitchell came in for the second play and got a rushing attempt right away. He also caught a pass during the practice session.
Gerindo, who was the fastest running back at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, appears to be back in top shape after suffering an injury early in the first practice of camp.
Mason, Mitchell and Gorindo appear to be on track to earn roster spots behind McCaffrey.
Bosa in the backfield
Defensive linemen rarely get a lot of attention during training camp because offensive players aren’t allowed to tackle them.
Although 49ers defensive lineman Nick Bosa didn’t take out any of his teammates on offense, he did seem to spend a lot of time in the backfield as Midfielder Brock Purdy.
Bosa capped off a strong training camp with a particularly impressive day before the 49ers broke camp.
Bosa was regularly seen running in front of Purdy in the backfield in order to simulate quarterback sacks, whether he was working against left linebacker Jaylon Moore or right linebacker Colton McKevitz.
Womack vs. Lotter
One of the final roster spots will likely be limited to two young defensive players competing for one roster spot.
Defensive backs Samuel Womack and Daryl Lotter saw plenty of passes thrown their way on Wednesday, and this could be a very close contest.
Luter was in coverage against speedy Jacob Cowing and surrendered a deep pass from undrafted rookie quarterback Tanner Mordecai.
But shortly after, Luther came up with his best defensive play of the day when he cut off Brandon Allen’s deep pass to veteran receiver Robbie Chosen.
Later, Womack got a one-out-of-two chance as well.
Womack provided good cover against midfielder Jake Tongis but was unable to block a successful pass from Joshua Dobbs.
On the next play, Womack got perfect coverage and broke up a pass from Mordecai that was intended for receiver Ty Martin.
Luther may have more potential as a cornerback, but Womack also has the ability to play at quarterback.
Taylor sits up, walking forward with a grumbling tone.
Veteran receiver Trent Taylor trained on the sidelines, missing his first practice of the summer with an undisclosed issue.
Taylor’s ticket to a spot on the 49ers’ 53-man roster is as a kick returner. But Cowing, a fourth-round pick out of Arizona, has made big strides in that area.
Cowing handled every opportunity to return the ball perfectly in the 49ers’ preseason game Sunday night against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium.
“It was good to see him do some things in the game,” Shanahan said. “I was really impressed with how smoothly he returned the ball.”
Cowing got plenty of practice time Wednesday, and finished well when he received a short pass from Dubs.
Camp less frequently
The 49ers are expected to return to the playoffs with the potential for another deep run to the postseason.
There’s no doubt that the 49ers have one of the best rosters in the entire NFL on paper, so they probably know exactly what it takes to get ready for the season.
But training camp seemed to lack the usual energy and enthusiasm as practices piled up. With some of the team’s key players on the bench due to injury, the 49ers appeared to have entered a more defensive mode.
The team camp seemed a bit disjointed. Was it the aftermath of the Super Bowl loss? Or were things a little strange because two of their best players, left back Trent Williams and forward Brandon Aiyuk, were not on the field due to contract issues?
The 49ers play their final preseason game on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders. They then begin preparing to face Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in the regular season opener on Monday, September 9 at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers will have to prepare quickly against Robert Saleh’s team. The Jets are desperate to end their eight-season losing streak.
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