49ers QB Roll Call: Will Brock Purdy sit out against Raiders?
SANTA CLARA — Here is Monday’s practice report on how the 49ers’ quarterbacks looked at training camp:
BROCK PURDY
Purdy’s comeback from elbow surgery will carry over this week against the Raiders, albeit in joint practices Thursday and Friday rather than in Sunday’s preseason opener.
“I doubt Brock plays,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “I haven’t fully decided it yet.”
Seemingly hogging the ball Monday in camp’s hottest practice (87 degrees), Purdy completed 9-of-18 passes, one of which got intercepted by Tashaun GIpson Sr. when tipped by cornerback Charvarius Ward. Perhaps Purdy’s best throw came when he found Jauan Jennings at the front right pylon for a touchdown against Ward, who playfully jawed with Jennings earlier in practice and again after that play.
Purdy is expected to practice in Tuesday’s lighter session — Monday’s spanned two hours — and then, after Wednesday’s day off, get tested against the Raiders. A year ago, Purdy used joint practices at Minnesota and the ensuing preseason game to push past Nate Sudfeld on the depth chart, as Shanahan later revealed.
Linebacker Oren Burks has been impressed with Purdy since last year. Burks used to play with Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers before joining the 49ers last season, so are there any traits Purdy shares with Rodgers from an offensive command standpoint?
“The poise is very similar, especially coming from a young guy,” Burks said. “It’s very rare to see a guy come into a situation like he did last year and handle himself like a pro.
“We’ll see how his career progress but I’m super proud of Brock, even just as a person,” Burks added. “He’s a great human being and person to be around, and people feed off that. The poise in the pocket and the way he leads the huddle, it’s different.”
SAM DARNOLD
Darnold went first in the QB2 rotation with Trey Lance, and after nearly having a pass intercepted by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Darnold found Ray-Ray McCloud with a red-zone touchdown pass between defenders A.J. Parker and Ji’Ayir Brown.
On one play, Darnold scrambled out of the pocket, rolled right and unloaded a pass after he crossed the line of scrimmage; it’s not included in his 5-of-8 passing line.
TREY LANCE
Lance opened his 3-of-7 practice with an interception, which Flannigan-Fowles made after Austin Bryant provided pressure past right tackle Matt Pryor. Two other misses of note: Parker broke up a pass toward Jennings in the end zone, and a deep shot toward Tay Martin got overthrown.
Lance ran twice among his limited snaps, including once on a red-zone draw. There has not been an emphasis on option keepers as last year’s camp with Lance.
BRANDON ALLEN
His third-team snaps came in the first hour of practice, and he completed all three of his red-zone passes to running backs after an earlier incompletion to Ty Davis-Price.
PRACTICE NOTES
Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk did not practice for the first time this camp in what was a well-deserved rest day. … Still not practicing: running back Elijah Mitchell (adductor), guard Aaron Banks (concussion), offensive tackle Jaylon Moore (knee), defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring) and defensive tackle Kalia Davis (knee). … Christian McCaffrey began his impressive practice with a touchdown catch against rookie linebacker Jalen Graham in one-on-one drills. Danny Gray had two impressive touchdown catches in one-on-one work. … Oren Burks remains positioned to take the strong-side linebacker role, formerly occupied by Azeez Al-Shaair, to which Burks said: “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a while and it’s here, so I’m focused every day to get better, to put my best stuff on tape for coaches to evaluate. We have a great offense with a lot of different looks that causes trouble for a lot of defenses, so what better time now than to compete against the best.” …