Training camps have kicked off around the NFL, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The San Francisco 49ers' camp is taking place in Santa Clara, California and 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at 49ers camp. We will update this file often. Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Let's get into it all, and be sure to keep checking back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Thursday.
Latest news from 49ers camp
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Monday, Aug. 11
Less than two full days removed from their preseason opener, the Niners had a light 80-ish minute practice Monday. At least for those healthy enough to practice. The Niners had a whopping 15 players missing because of injury Monday, not including the five on injured reserve, three on PUP and one on the NFI list.
It's enough to wonder if the Niners will actually go through with their planned joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday. The 49ers canceled planned sessions with the New Orleans Saints last year because of attrition, though that team had 23 players on the 90-man roster not practice the day it was canceled. San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday the plan is to follow through with the Raiders, largely because he has a much younger team with players who need the reps.
"We're in a similar situation as we were last year where it gets tough to do these at this time," Shanahan said. "But I also feel our team is in a different situation just in terms of guys that need this and we've got a lot more young guys, a lot of more new guys so I really do want to get a practice versus someone else. But we'll see how these next couple of days go. ... Hopefully we won't have to cut too many things out versus Vegas, but we'll see after the next practice."
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New names not participating in practice because of injury Monday: receiver Jordan Watkins (high ankle sprain), CB Upton Stout (calf tightness), CB Tre Brown, S Richie Grant and DE Robert Beal Jr. (groin). That's in addition to the usual group, including DE Mykel Williams, who is expected to miss a week or so with a hyperextended knee.
The injury news wasn't all bad as the Niners welcome defensive tackle Evan Anderson, safety Ji'Ayir Brown and offensive tackle Andre Dillard back into the practice mix. Dillard got work at left tackle with the second and third team offense, though the groups were modified a bit because of so many missing players.
Before practice, the Niners activated Dillard from PUP and signed RB Jeff Wilson Jr. and DE Trevis Gipson. They also waived QB Tanner Mordecai and placed RB Ameer Abdullah (ribs) on injured reserve. Gipson had a hand in one of the biggest plays of practice, deflecting a Brock Purdy pass that DE Nick Bosa caught for an interception in red zone drills.
Thursday, Aug. 7
The Niners and Broncos went through a more than two-hour joint practice Thursday with no real fights and minimal issues. But the Niners did have a scary moment part way through when rookie defensive end Mykel Williams went down with an apparent left knee injury. Williams stayed down for a few minutes as linebacker Fred Warner and end Nick Bosa came over to check on him.
But San Francisco seemingly got good news after the practice when coach Kyle Shanahan said preliminary testing showed a hyperextended knee. While Williams is still being evaluated, Shanahan said the expectation is it will be about a week for him to return. That means Williams won't make his preseason debut Saturday night, but Shanahan seemed relieved that the first indications weren't more serious.
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Shanahan said he doesn't plan to play many starters Saturday night in the first exhibition game. That's been the general approach for the Niners under him. Safe to expect the Niners will rest all of their primary stars, including QB Brock Purdy.
Defensive tackle Jordan Elliott (back) and rookie running back Jordan James (broken finger) did not practice Thursday. Elliott is expected back next week, while James will likely miss a couple weeks.
A special guest at today's practice: Brian Griese, the former Niners QB coach and former Broncos quarterback. Griese left his QB coach job with San Francisco in the offseason with Mick Lombardi replacing him in that role.
Play of the day: During the red zone team period late in practice, Purdy dropped a perfect pass in the corner of the end zone into receiver Ricky Pearsall's hands despite tight coverage from rookie defensive back Jahdae Barron for a touchdown.
Wednesday, Aug. 6
The 49ers were off, but here's a reflection of camp so far.
Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?
DE Nick Bosa. Apologies to TE George Kittle, WR Ricky Pearsall and rookie CB Upton Stout here, but Bosa has been the most consistently dominant performer even in a camp in which he participates in only two out of every three practices. Bosa spent more time around his teammates in the spring and is working to be a resource for the team's many young defensive linemen. The result of that, and a disappointing 2024, is a Bosa who looks like he's ready to return to his 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year form.
Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in the preseason?
How will the defense shake out? The Niners have three players -- Bosa, LB Fred Warner, CB Deommodore Lenoir -- locked in as starters. CB Renardo Green is likely another when he returns from a hamstring injury. But the rest of the starting 11 could look decidedly different from last season with as many as five rookies potentially elbowing their way into the top group. There's plenty of uncertainty on the defensive line and at safety, and the preseason games will go a long way in determining what it looks like when the Niners visit Seattle to open the season on Sept. 7.
Tuesday, Aug. 5
Mac Jones signed with the Niners in March with an eye toward following the Sam Darnold path back to a starting quarterback job. Which is to say, he could, in theory, come to San Francisco, learn under coach Kyle Shanahan and potentially boost his value without even playing much, if at all. But if Jones does have to play in 2025, this training camp could provide evidence that he's ready to take a step forward after his struggles in Jacksonville and New England.
Jones has been sharp throughout camp and was again Tuesday, connecting on his first 14 pass attempts in team drills before his last pass fell incomplete. Quarterbacks coach Mick Lombardi said Jones has worked hard to rebuild whatever confidence was lost from previous struggles, and it's showing up on the field.
"That's all him and his mindset, and I think feeling comfortable in the scheme and feeling comfortable with the guys around him and just feeling comfortable with the staff," Lombardi said. "I think it's just all kind of been a good combination for him."
Jones is the Niners' clear-cut No. 2 QB, and they will almost certainly keep only two on the initial 53-man roster.
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Receiver Ricky Pearsall's emergence continued Tuesday as he caught five passes from Brock Purdy, many of which would have gone for big gains. Pearsall has been nearly unstoppable over the past handful of sessions.
"Nearly" is the operative word above because feisty rookie CB Upton Stout seems to be the only one who can give him problems. Stout covered Pearsall well in one-on-ones in the red zone for incompletions following his pass break up against Pearsall on Monday. Despite Stout's consistency, coordinator Robert Saleh isn't ready to crown him a starter yet. He said Stout has "the inside track in a very long race" with a long way between now and the regular season.
DE Nick Bosa continued to work through soreness on the side during Tuesday's practice. It's the third straight day of practice he's missed, though it seems like he's close to a return given the work he did with the training staff.
Monday, Aug. 4
The 49ers have a lot of rookies they're hoping can contribute right away in 2025, but the one who might be making the biggest impact right away is the smallest among them.
Cornerback Upton Stout -- listed at 5-foot-9, 181 pounds -- has consistently worked with the first team as the slot corner in nickel packages and doesn't seem like he's going to release the early hold he seems to have placed on that starting spot.
"He's made of the right stuff," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "A lot of guys have got to learn it but he hasn't had to learn it... He's on everything. He's one of the bigger competitors that I've seen coming in as a rookie, and he's doing as much as he can on and off the field. And that's why he's passing a lot of guys up."
Stout, who was picked No. 100 overall in April's draft, continued a pretty strong camp Monday when he jumped on an out route for WR Ricky Pearsall and broke it up to the delight of linebacker Fred Warner and his defensive teammates. It's a long way from here to the start of the regular season, but it would be a surprise if Stout is not the team's nickel corner to open the year.
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Former Niners cornerback Richard Sherman was in attendance today and spent some time chatting with Shanahan during the special teams period.
OT Colton McKivitz (soreness), CB Darrell Luter Jr. (personal), RB Jordan James (knee) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (hip) all returned to practice in varying capacities on Monday. James did some individual drills but nothing in team.
The Niners had nearly 20 players missing from Monday's practice because of rest or injury. They were especially light at running back, receiver and the defensive line. But Shanahan is hopeful they'll be in better position for Thursday's joint practice with the Broncos.
Play of the day: QB Mac Jones lofted a deep ball for Pearsall on the second rep for the No. 2 offense in team periods. Pearsall had to slow a little bit but hauled it in for a would-be big gain against cornerback Tre Brown and safety Marques Sigle.
Saturday, Aug. 2
Speaking to the media on Friday, 49ers QB Brock Purdy said second-year WR Ricky Pearsall started to "come out his shell" toward the end of last season and he felt their connection was close to where it needs to be.
On Saturday, Purdy's words proved prophetic as Pearsall had his best training camp practice since entering the NFL last year. Pearsall made five catches in 11-on-11 with four of those coming from Purdy. The ball did not hit the ground when Pearsall was targeted and at least three of those went for big gains. None looked better than the first play of team period as Purdy let a deep crosser fly for Pearsall just before he came out of his break, hitting Pearsall perfectly in stride for a big gain.
The Niners need big things from Pearsall to have success this season and staying healthy will be of utmost importance. And it appears he and Purdy are starting to build the trust that can make Pearsall an integral part of the offense.
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Fullback Kyle Juszczyk moved slowly to the locker room early in practice with tight end George Kittle coming over to check on him before he left. Juszczyk did not return to the session.
Running back Isaac Guerendo also departed practice early with what appeared to be a right shoulder or arm injury. He stayed out and watched the rest of practice from the sideline after some time with the trainers.
Rookie DE Mykel Williams confirmed Saturday that during the offseason he asked veteran LT Trent Williams if he could borrow his plane to fly to Cabo. Mykel Williams' reasoning? His father always told him "a closed mouth don't get fed."
Friday, Aug. 1
Niners DE Nick Bosa doesn't lose one-on-one pass rush reps often, so it was notable when right tackle Colton McKivitz slowed him in their matchup.
As it turned out, Bosa was just getting warmed up. Bosa has been a constant presence in the backfield when practicing in this camp, but never more so than he was late in Friday's two-hour practice.
In one sequence against the top offense, Bosa had would-be sacks on three of four snaps and then got to QB Brock Purdy again three snaps later. While Bosa can wreck an offense's practice, Purdy said after he's actually appreciative to have the star defensive end making him and the offense sharper.
"To have him every single rep and feeling his presence 24/7, honestly it's great work for all of us, myself included," Purdy said. "For him to give us a look like that realistically every single play that he's in, it's really good. So, I appreciate him for that. But obviously he's getting really good work, and I want him to be a monster come the season for our team. So, he's doing just that."
Bosa had a bit of a down year in 2024, posting nine sacks, but early returns in this camp indicate he has got his mind set on a return to previous levels of production.
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Safety Ji'Ayir Brown didn't practice because of a planned rest day and rookie wideout Jordan Watkins also didn't participate for unknown reasons.
When Bosa wasn't wreaking havoc, Purdy and TE George Kittle continued their trend of hitting on a big play or two in every practice. Purdy hit Kittle for a touchdown in the red zone and connected on a deep ball down the left sideline.
The Niners activated LB Curtis Robinson (knee) from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Robinson didn't do much as he is eased back into the mix.
Thursday, July 31
The 49ers went through their 90-minute practice on Thursday without both starting cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green. Lenoir is dealing with hip irritation while Green has been battling a hamstring injury.
While those issues have created opportunities for other corners, it's also offered a glimpse into the Niners' lack of proven depth at the position.
Their top three corners Thursday were rookie Upton Stout, Darrell Luter Jr. and Dallis Flowers, a group that's started a combined five games (all by Flowers in 2022 and 2023) in their careers. Not counting plays that would have likely ended in sacks, the Niners completed 22 of 22 passes on Thursday.
That, of course, isn't solely an indictment of the current cornerback situation but it's certainly something to monitor until Lenoir and Green return.
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Lenoir isn't expected to be out long. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he will rest this block of three practices (so today, Friday and Saturday) and then should return.
Williams returned from a minor ankle issue that kept him out on Tuesday. He did a couple reps in one-on-one pass rush but was in his usual spot on the defensive line during team drills.
Ben Bartch returned from the NFI list after dealing with a quad injury. While he did not participate in 1-on-1s, he jumped back in as the starting left guard. Shanahan says it's a competition between Bartch and Nick Zakelj for that job but it sure looks like they'd like Bartch to grab hold of it.
RB Christian McCaffrey, OT Trent Williams and DE Nick Bosa got their usual rest day coming out of an off day. FB Kyle Juszczyk joined them.
Play of the day: QB Brock Purdy connected with WR Demarcus Robinson on a deep ball during the team period, dropping it perfectly over Robinson's shoulder with Luter in coverage.
Tuesday, July 29
The 49ers still don't know for sure when receiver Brandon Aiyuk will be back from the knee injury he suffered in Week 7 last season. That injury wasn't just a standard ACL and MCL tear, and the rehab is a bit more involved because of it. But San Francisco offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak is encouraged by what Aiyuk has been doing in this camp anyway: helping and cheering on his teammates.
Through the first six practices, Aiyuk has been a staple on the sidelines, a welcome sight after the awkward contract hold-in last year.
"It's been awesome," Kubiak said. "He's very much a part of the position group. Meaning he is not just isolated doing his rehab and then being around the building. He's in the individual drills with them, and he's on the field. When we are in meetings, he's engaged. When we're at walkthroughs, he's with those guys. He's helping [wide receivers/passing game specialist Leonard Hankerson] kind of coach on the side. I'm really happy with BA right now with where he is at."
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Rookie DE Mykel Williams did not practice Tuesday with what the team is calling a "minor" ankle injury. Williams was off to a strong start in camp but dealt with ankle issues last year at Georgia.
Receiver Ricky Pearsall got a scheduled day off Tuesday after participating in his first two practices of camp Sunday and Monday.
The 49ers had their first scuffle since the pads came on Monday with rookie DT CJ West getting into it with some offensive linemen. After a brief back and forth, things settled and practice continued.
Monday, July 28
Mykel Williams, the No. 11 overall pick in the draft, is going to start from Day One for the Niners. Perhaps that shouldn't be a surprise, but it's notable that the 49ers aren't even pretending that there's some competition where he needs to "win" the job before he steps in.
Williams was eased in with the starting defense in the first few days of practice but on Monday, the first time the team was in pads, Williams was on the end opposite Nick Bosa and only moved in pass rushing situations when he kicked inside.
"Even if it was a discussion, it wouldn't take long because look at him," defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. "He's very powerful. He's got great hands... Every day he is just going to get better and prove that he belongs."
Williams had some strong moments in one-on-one pass rush drills Monday, working both inside and out, and winning pretty cleanly in all five of his opportunities with a combination of power and speed.
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Williams wasn't the only rookie enjoying success in pass rush drills. Fourth-round DT CJ West was the standout performer in that session, flashing fast, powerful hands that he complimented with a quicker than expected first step. He even beat starting guard Dominick Puni with a powerful jab and quick rip move.
Bosa looks like he's ready for the season. He had at least three would-be sacks during team drills and even was giving left tackle Trent Williams problems on the edge.
Some good news on DE Tarron Jackson, who left practice on a stretcher Sunday. He's been discharged from the hospital and is back in the team facility, though not yet cleared to return to football.
Sunday, July 27
The 49ers activated Ricky Pearsall from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday, a welcome sight for a team that has been playing a lot of musical receivers in training camp's opening week. Pearsall did everything during individual drills but only took eight snaps in 11-on-11 before calling it a day. With Jauan Jennings leaving practice because of a calf injury, Pearsall should have plenty of opportunities to mesh with QB Brock Purdy in the coming days. Pearsall had a couple of catches in team drills and looked to have fresh legs. His development figures to be a key to San Francisco's offensive success, so getting him for most of camp is no small thing.
"He has prepared so hard for this to try to get his body in a position to be able to make it through camp," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "And I know he had a setback in OTAs with his hamstring, but he's worked as hard as he won this off season and hopefully has some better luck."
Pearsall warming up... https://t.co/m4PnhW7o8Z pic.twitter.com/BQtwneTVxk
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 27, 2025
Mike Shanahan, a training camp staple since Kyle took over in 2017, watched practice from his usual perch on the sideline.
Kyle Shanahan has had to cede his role as defensive install quarterback because of an elbow injury of his own. Shanahan said he might have to get it fixed after the season and Jake Lynch, son of the general manager and defensive quality control coach, has taken over for the time being.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, defensive end Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams got their scheduled days off on Sunday before the Niners have their first fully padded session on Monday.
Friday, July 25
After quarterback Brock Purdy was nearly perfect in Thursday's practice, he did not attend Friday's session as he tended to a personal matter. According to multiple sources, Purdy's absence was not cause for alarm and was for a good reason but it left Mac Jones to take all of the reps with the first team.
In Purdy's absence, Jones fared pretty well as he also took the second-unit snaps and finished 12-of-19 with an interception as safety Ji'Ayir Brown sat in zone and jumped in front of a pass intended for rookie wideout Jordan Watkins. Purdy is expected to be back at practice when the team returns to work on Sunday.
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The kicking competition between Greg Joseph and Jake Moody got a bit more interesting on Friday as both kickers had their first misses of this camp. Joseph missed from roughly 38 and 46 yards while Moody was wide right from about 46 yards.
Tight end Brayden Willis hasn't established himself as much of a pass catching threat in recent years but he had four catches, including an impressive toe tap along the sideline.
Cornerback Renardo Green, who will play a key role in 2025, had a strong practice with multiple pass breakups and sticky coverage before he appeared to tweak something in his leg or hamstring late in the session.
Thursday, July 24
The 49ers aren't in pads yet, which generally gives time for the offense to catch up to the defense. But that didn't take long in this year's camp.
Quarterback Brock Purdy was particularly sharp in Thursday's training camp practice, with the ball only hitting the ground once in 14 pass attempts during team drills. Purdy sailed his one miss over open tight end George Kittle but otherwise made good, quick decisions to get the ball where it needs to go.
After Purdy signed a five-year, $265 million deal in the spring, the Niners don't want him to change much about his process. But they do believe there's another level he can take his game.
"He is always pushing himself," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "He's never satisfied and he's going to not just do what we ask him to do. He's going to do as much as he can to get better and that's why I like when he improves on things when he is away from us."
With receiver Jacob Cowing out with a hamstring injury, the Niners signed veteran wideout Quintez Cephus to add another body to the mix. They released running back Israel Abananikanda to make room for Cephus.
Left tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey and defensive end Nick Bosa had larger roles in Thursday's practice.
Wednesday, July 23
On Tuesday, the 49ers were optimistic that receiver Jauan Jennings, who would like a contract extension, would be on the field and participating in their first practice on Wednesday.
As it turned out, that's exactly what happened as Jennings led all the receiver drills during individual periods and then made multiple catches during 11-on-11. Jennings had three receptions during team drills and drew a penalty when targeted a fourth time, looking every bit the part of the team's (current) No. 1 receiver.
As team expected, #49ers WR Jauan Jennings is on field and participating in early parts of team's first training camp practice. pic.twitter.com/0bpfdVC6oX
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) July 23, 2025
"He had a good practice and it was great to have him out there," coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Tight end George Kittle said Jennings' energy in the locker room and practice hasn't changed and all early indications are that even if Jennings is unhappy with his contract, he's not letting it alter his approach on the field.
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Receiver Jacob Cowing injured his hamstring during the practice, according to Shanahan. It's unclear how much time he will miss.
Running back Christian McCaffrey, left tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Nick Bosa took part in individual drills but nothing in team. The plan for them is to not do team drills following days off, so they should be more involved Thursday.
Hall of Fame linebacker Patrick Willis was in attendance, watching practice from the sidelines.
Tuesday, July 22
While Niners general manager John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan spent plenty of time Tuesday talking about their many players returning from injury, it might have been lost in the mix that two of their most important stars are good to go at the start of camp.
Left tackle Trent Williams (foot/heel) and running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) are fully healed, healthy and expected to be good to go when the team practices for the first time Wednesday. Because of injuries and contract disputes, neither did much in camp last year, which has Shanahan excited about their progress entering this camp.
"I'm glad that they're both here and healthy and they get a chance to come back and have a chance to build their bodies where they have a chance to get to the season like that," Shanahan said.
McCaffrey and Williams have personalized plans for how much they participate in camp as the Niners aim to have them ready to roll for the Sept. 7 opener against the Seattle Seahawks.