49ers training camp: Shanahan observes, Warner returns, Evans impresses, injury updates

The San Francisco 49ers officially reported to training camp this weekend, holding their first practice on Sunday. The session was open to fans, offering an early glimpse at how the team is taking shape ahead of the upcoming 2026 campaign.

Before practice, the 49ers announced several roster moves, signing defensive tackle Kevin Givens to a one-year contract and waiving defensive tackle Evan Anderson. General manager John Lynch first revealed Anderson's release on Saturday.

The team also officially placed four players on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, confirming moves that Lynch disclosed a day earlier. Those players are defensive tackle Alfred Collins (shoulder), running back Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), tight end George Kittle (Achilles), and defensive end Mykel Williams (ACL).

Head coach Kyle Shanahan is recovering from injuries sustained in a recent car accident and will have a limited role at the start of training camp. Meanwhile, assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster is serving as the team's interim head coach.

Shanahan was seen observing practice with general manager John Lynch. Shanahan had a cast on his left hand. He reportedly watched for about 30 minutes.

Below are some of the key takeaways from the 10:10 a.m. PT practice at the SAP Performance Facility, compiled from multiple media reports.

Noteworthy non-participants

These are the players who did not practice and are not on an injury list.

• DB Nate Hobbs

Injury updates

Noticeably absent from the 49ers' PUP list were linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa. Warner's 2025 season was cut short after he suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle, while Bosa's ended prematurely due to a torn ACL.

Both players were cleared for training camp and participated in Sunday's practice.

Wide receiver Christian Kirk walked off the field with a trainer midway through practice.

Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe left practice after suffering an ankle injury.

Unavailable players

Physically unable to perform (PUP)

• DT Alfred Collins (shoulder)
• RB Isaac Guerendo (pectoral)
• TE George Kittle (Achilles)
• DE Mykel Williams (ACL)

Injured reserve (IR)

• S Darrick Forrest

Reserve/left squad

• WR Brandon Aiyuk

Offensive notes

Newly acquired wide receiver Mike Evans flashed during practice and looked every bit like the player the 49ers hoped they were getting when they signed the veteran pass catcher. Quarterback Brock Purdy connected with Evans on a deep completion while he was working against cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. Evans took advantage of safety Marques Sigle arriving late on the play and hauled in the pass.

"Man, I love having him out there," Foerster said of Evans. "Obviously, he's a real pro. His skill set and the things he does well are going to add so much to our football team. We saw a play today in the red zone ... there's just so many places where Mike's going to help our football team, and I'm very excited to have him."

Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling also impressed during his first NFL training camp practice. The team's first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft (No. 33 overall) had a strong debut and stayed after practice to get additional work.

"He's awesome," Foerster said of Stribling. "He's phenomenal. He's everything that we thought he would be and more when he came out. Just mature, strong, fast, physical, understands the game, lines up in the formation, is very professional about things. He's been so, so good and everything we thought he could be. It's really nice to see."

Stribling capped his practice with an impressive reception.

"He was working down the right [seam] with a DB in his inside pocket, but the ball was thrown to the inside on the other side of the DB, and he made a phenomenal adjustment to go snag the pass," wrote Brad Graham of @TheSFNiners.

Quarterback Mac Jones threw a pair of interceptions during practice, including one that linebacker Jalen Graham secured. On the play, Jones was attempting to connect with wide receiver Jordan Watkins over the middle, but linebacker Garret Wallow jumped to deflect the pass before Graham came down with the interception. Safety Marques Sigle recorded the second interception thrown by Jones.

Foerster also discussed the competition at left guard, suggesting that Connor Colby is currently the favorite for the starting job, though the battle remains far from over.

"Now, he's the incumbent," Foerster said. "Nobody else has done anything to beat him out to this point ... but we've yet to get to live bullets and see what's happening out there."

Running back Christian McCaffrey hauled in a pass while matched up against second-year cornerback Upton Stout. McCaffrey is coming off a historic 2025 NFL Comeback Player of the Year campaign, during which he totaled 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns.

Running back Jordan James also made an impact during 11-on-11 drills, recording two receptions from Purdy.

Defensive notes

After a shortened 2025 season due to an ankle injury, linebacker Fred Warner was a full participant at practice and immediately returned to his role as the vocal leader of the 49ers defense. On one play, the star linebacker stuffed running back Jordan James at the line of scrimmage before flexing toward the offense and delivering some trash talk.

Warner reflected on his injury and the experience of missing significant time for the first time in his career.

"Shoot, that was the first time I missed extended time," Warner said. "Before that even happened, though, I understood this is a violent game, and you put your bodies on the line every single day and every single time you step out there. So, I understood that, and I even preached that to the guys before getting injured, of how important it is to really treat every day like it's your last.

"But it is different when you do go through that. And then, you're actually faced with that reality. So, being back out there today, it did mean a lot, and just to feel better than I ever have, to be able to feel the same movements and everything like that, was important, too. So, it's really just climbing from here."

The 49ers also reunited Warner with linebacker Dre Greenlaw this offseason, bringing back the impactful defender, much to Warner's delight.

"It's just great having him back," Warner said. "Like I've always talked about, he's one of the best football players I've ever played with, and just his passion for the game, his mentality, having a guy like that beside you just gives you so much confidence as a player to go out there and rock out. So, it's great having him back."

Foerster also discussed the early impact defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa has made since the 49ers acquired him in a March trade.

"He's done very well so far," Foerster said. "His presence has been felt since the minute he got here."

Cornerback Jack Jones, another offseason addition, showcased his speed in the secondary and drew praise from reporters covering practice.

Rookie defensive end Romello Height was also seen dropping into coverage, a potential indication that new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is adding some creative wrinkles to the 49ers' defense. However, Height allowed a reception to McCaffrey while in coverage.

Safety Malik Mustapha made one of the defensive highlights of practice by breaking up a Purdy pass intended for wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Next practice

The 49ers will return to the practice field on Monday, July 27, at 10:10 a.m. PT.

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