SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- A daily review of the hot topics coming out of the San Francisco 49ers training camp:
Toward the end of Monday's workout, Jim Harbaugh darted to the sideline to confer with an assistant coach. The Levi's Stadium crowd went nuts, whistling and hollering for their beloved head coach. Harbaugh ate it up, doffing his cap to the adoring crowd. An estimated 10,000 fans watched the first open 49ers' practice Monday in the new stadium.Harbaugh said after the workout the 49ers have to "mark their territory" in the new stadium. If the first practice was any indication, all systems appear to be go.
Harbaugh and several players raved about the experience and were particularly pleased with the grass in their new digs.
The two-and-a-half hour practice was a bit slower than usual. Harbaugh said that was by design. The preseason starts this Thursday at the Baltimore Ravens. There were plenty of highlights Monday.
Two of the standouts where cornerback Chris Cook and receiver Quinton Patton. Cook, a free-agent pickup from the Minnesota Vikings, had two interceptions -- one a spectacular diving grab in the end zone. Cook didn't have an interception in four seasons with Minnesota. Patton, a second-year receiver who showed promise last year, made several big plays Monday.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick had a nice day. Kaepernick spent an hour working by himself on the practice field after practice. Harbaugh said Kaepernick will play a drive or two at Baltimore. That is the usual plan for the first preseason game.
The 49ers waived-injured running back Kendall Hunter, who tore his ACL July 25 and is out for the year. Hunter is a free agent after the season so it's unlikely another team will claim him and pay him not to play this season.
The 49ers signed running back Glenn Winston to take Hunter's spot. Winston is an undrafted free agent from Northwood and a former Michigan State player. He is a long shot to make the team.
Cornerback Chris Culliver didn't practice in team drills Monday.
Rookie running back Carlos Hyde got a bloody fingernail after muffing a kick. He left the field for a bit, but returned.
One of the highlights of the day came when rookie linebacker Chris Borland got an interception on a ball that was tipped by safeties Craig Dahl and C.J. Spillman.
Harbaugh said he didn't have an update on nose tackle Glenn Dorsey, who had surgery to repair a bicep he tore on Friday. The 49ers hope that Dorsey could come return before the end of the season but he could also be out for the year. Harbaugh called the injury "a bad break."
Receiver Jon Baldwin was reportedly claimed by the Detroit Lions after the 49ers cut him Sunday. Baldwin had three catches last season and had virtually no chance to make the team.
The 49ers have a short practice Tuesday that is set to start at noon ET. They will then fly to Baltimore to play the Ravens and then work out with them for a few days.