SANTA CLARA – Here are the players who stood out on Day 14 of 49ers training camp. Consider that practices were short, players didn’t wear protective gear and substitutes didn’t participate in 11-on-11 team drills.
THE GOOD
1. TE George Kittle
Was targeted eight times by Brock Purdy during team drills, which lasted just 22 plays, and caught six passes. No one else caught more than two. Kittle was the best player on the field today. With Brandon Aiyuk out, Kittle becomes the most complete receiver on the team, so it makes sense that he’ll get more passes. He’s good enough to catch 100 passes a season, but since 2019 he hasn’t caught even 100 passes in a year. That could change this year.
2. CB Deomodore Lenoir
He intercepted a pass intended for Kittle and then intercepted a long pass intended for Jacob Cowing (more on him in a moment). That means Lenoir was the only defensive player able to intercept Purdy’s passes. Lenoir has become a true playmaker that opposing quarterbacks are better off not testing.
3. DT Maliek Collins
On the first play of practice, he outran promising rookie guard Dominick Puni and stopped Jordan Mason for a three-yard loss. Collins had a better training camp than fellow starting guard Javon Hargrave.
THE NOT SO GOOD
1. DT Kalia Davis
He missed practice due to a knee injury he suffered Saturday against the Titans that will require surgery. What a blow for a young player who has struggled with knee injuries since college. Kyle Shanahan said Davis’ injury is behind his kneecap and the 49ers hope to have him back midseason. It looks like his knee will never play again.
2. WR Jacob Cowing
He ran a jet sweep and lost two yards. Then he ran a slant route and dropped a pass that hit him on the hands. Then he ran a fade route down the right sideline and watched as Purdy’s pass was intercepted by Deommodore Lenoir. Cowing made no attempt to catch the ball or even bat it down. He was a spectator. Cowing was so bad this offseason that he may not make the team. He needs to show something soon.
3. WR Danny Gray
Ran a post route and turned around too late to find the ball just as it was whizzing past him. After the game, Brock Purdy shook his head in disgust. Gray is just not good. Purdy desperately needs a deep threat with Brandon Aiyuk out, but the 49ers don’t have one. Purdy even tried to throw a deep pass to Jauan Jennings today, but Jennings was too slow to catch it. The 49ers don’t have anyone who can replace Brandon Aiyuk as the team’s top deep threat. And without a deep threat, the 49ers won’t be able to get the most out of Purdy and their passing offense. They better come up with something.
