49ers alter warmups with Brock Purdy’s reps, Trey Lance’s absence
Brock Purdy's warmup routine appeared lighter as the 49ers warmed up Monday for their first closed practice since training camp.
SANTA CLARA — Next week constitutes Week 1 of the regular season, so consider this Week 0, and Monday marked the 49ers’ final practice for many players before final roster cuts.
It also brought a peculiar sight: Brock Purdy throwing on an apparent pitch count to help his elbow’s load maintenance, according to a team spokesman. Purdy did throw some, and he surely wouldn’t be cleared to even do that had his comeback hit a serious setback.
Tight end George Kittle, who missed half of camp with a groin issue, was not seen, nor were kickers Jake Moody (quadriceps) and Zane Gonzalez (calf).
Those kicker injuries prompted the 49ers to privately audition two candidates: Tristan Vizcaino and Taylor Russolino, according to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. Vizcaino kicked in the 49ers’ 2020 season finale (3-for-3 field goals) while Robbie Gould was on the COVID list; Gould is a free agent after kicking the past six seasons for the 49ers. Russolino last kicked in the XFL (Arlington Renegades).
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) were among those doing working on the side, at least during the media’s 30-minute window before the 49ers closed practice for the first time since training camp began last month.
Of course, this was also the first session since Trey Lance’s trade Friday night to the Dallas Cowboys, leaving Purdy, Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen as the only three quarterbacks in practice. That was also the case in Wednesday, when Lance was excused from attending because of his emotional state after being told Darnold beat him out for the No. 2 job behind Purdy.
Other practice sights and sounds:
— Running back Elijah Mitchell participated for the first time in a week, since experience tightness with a groin issue that sidelined him most of camp.
— Running back Jordan Mason was not seen at practice; he sustained a foot sprain in Friday’s preseason finale. Other injured players not participating were wide receivers Chris Conley (shoulder) and Danny Gray (shoulder), tight end Cameron Latu (knee), cornerback A.J. Parker (hamstring), and safety Tayler Hawkins (hand).
— A nickel-back rotation with Isaiah Oliver and Deommodore Lenoir looks still under consideration.
— Safety George Odum (shoulder) participated in drills with a no-contact jersey; his first action in nearly three weeks.
— After cutting five players Sunday, the 49ers still must move about 35 players off the roster by Tuesday’s 1 p.m. deadline, via either waiving players with under four years of service, terminating veteran contracts, or placing some players on Injured Reserve.