49ers training camp: Kyle Shanahan improving, NBA champion visits, injuries mount

The San Francisco 49ers held their sixth full training camp practice on Monday as they continued preparations for the 2026 NFL season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan continued to observe practice on Monday, spending a significant amount of time watching the session. He remains limited in his role as he continues recovering from the injuries he sustained in a July 14 car accident.

There is growing optimism within the 49ers that Shanahan could soon resume his full-time coaching duties. On Saturday, he addressed the team for the first time in training camp, and on Monday, he took part in the team's post-practice huddle before turning things over to Mike Brown, head coach of the NBA champion New York Knicks.

Brown, whose son Cameron Brown serves as a 49ers defensive quality control coach, observed Monday's practice before addressing the team.

"That was so cool," fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. "Just talking about the championship teams that he's been on, just how each and every one of them had a standard. And they had a written standard that they all signed ... And I think that spoke really well to this organization because we've always talked about having a standard here. And I think we have such a great one and one that, when our head coach goes down, everyone understands what that standard is.

"They understand what's expected from the guy next to them, that when leaders go down, the next guy in line can hop right in there and there's not a big fall-off."

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.

• RB Kaelon Black (adductor)
• WR Mike Evans (quad strain)
• DT Gracen Halton (knee bone bruise)
• RB Jordan James (rib fracture)
• CB Jack Jones (soreness, rest)
• WR Christian Kirk (calf strain)
• OT Vederian Lowe (high-ankle sprain)
• S Malik Mustapha (hamstring strain)
• DE Cameron Sample (knee)
• WR De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring)
• DE Keion White (adductor)

Injury updates

Wide receiver Mike Evans is among the latest additions to the 49ers' injury report. He missed Monday's practice with a quad strain. However, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the injury is not believed to be serious, suggesting that the veteran wideout is expected to return sooner rather than later.

RELATED Rapoport provides 49ers injury update on Mike Evans

Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling also remained sidelined with hamstring tightness. The 49ers continue to list him as day-to-day.

There was some positive news on the injury front, as rookie defensive end Romello Height (elbow) and second-year defensive tackle C.J. West (undisclosed) both returned to practice.

Meanwhile, rookie running back Kaelon Black was held out with an adductor injury.

The 49ers also revealed that defensive end Mikail Kamara, who was waived/injured on Sunday, suffered a torn ACL during Saturday's practice. He is expected to clear waivers and revert to the team's injured reserve list.

Unavailable players

Physically unable to perform (PUP)

• RB Isaac Guerendo (pectoral)
• TE George Kittle (Achilles)
• DE Mykel Williams (ACL)

Injured reserve (IR)

• DL William Bradley-King
• DL Andrew Farmer (back)
• S Darrick Forrest
• WR Ricky Pearsall (PCL)

Reserve/left squad

• WR Brandon Aiyuk

Offensive notes

With injuries depleting the running back room, Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick handled much of the workload when Christian McCaffrey wasn't on the field.

Veteran running back Khalil Herbert, who signed with the 49ers on Sunday, participated in his first practice with the team. He collided with linebacker Jalen Graham, but was unfazed by the hit and continued running downfield.

According to The Athletic's Matt Barrows, quarterback Brock Purdy completed 15 of his 21 pass attempts during team drills. Barrows had quarterback Mac Jones completing eight of his 10 pass attempts.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel participated in his second practice since rejoining the 49ers and has already made a strong impression.

"He's looked fantastic. It's like he didn't miss a beat," general manager John Lynch said on Monday.

ESPN's Nick Wagoner noted that rookie wide receiver Junior Bergen has shown "apparent improvement" as a pass catcher during training camp.

Tight end Jake Tonges hauled in multiple receptions but came up short on a few other targets. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir broke up one pass intended for Tonges.

Tight end Brayden Willis made an impressive one-handed catch on a deep pass from Mac Jones, hauling it in despite tight coverage from Jalen Graham.

Wide receiver Jordan Watkins continues to stand out. He hauled in a four-yard touchdown pass from Jones while matched up against cornerback Nate Hobbs.

Defensive notes

Interestingly, rookie linebacker Jaden Dugger worked with the defensive line for the first time during training camp. The 49ers continue to take advantage of his versatility, moving him around the defense in hopes of accelerating his path to contributing as a rookie.

Noah Furtado of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that cornerback Renardo Green dominated his one-on-one reps. The third-year defender has enjoyed an impressive training camp and appears to be the frontrunner to start opposite Deommodore Lenoir once again.

Lenoir has repeatedly praised Green's increased confidence this offseason, a development that could pay significant dividends for the 49ers' secondary in 2026.

Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock flashed, breaking up a Mac Jones pass intended for Junior Bergen.

Linebacker Fred Warner avoided an injury scare. He collided with fullback Kyle Juszczyk during practice. Warner stayed on the field for the next play before taking a short break on the sideline, then returned to practice.

Second-year linebacker Nick Martin continues to flash his speed and range, strengthening his case for a larger defensive role this season.

Linebacker Tatum Bethune broke up a pass but dropped a potential interception from Brock Purdy.

Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, acquired in an offseason trade, continued to showcase why the 49ers targeted him. He consistently disrupted the offense during team drills, generating pressure on multiple snaps.

Safety Ji'Ayir Brown broke up what looked to be a potential touchdown pass from Purdy to tight end Jake Tonges.

"I think I was in man-to-man coverage there on the backside," Brown said. "Jake tried to run a deep-over. I kind of ran it down, made a play on the ball for the team."

In his first practice back from an elbow injury, defensive end Romello Height generated pressure on Purdy, forcing the quarterback to throw the ball away with an impressive rush off the right edge.

Defensive end K.J. Henry turned in an impressive performance on Monday, recording three would-be sacks, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.

The 49ers did not hold one-on-one pass-rush drills on Monday as injuries continue to thin the defensive line.

Special teams notes

John Lynch recently revealed that Deebo Samuel is committed to returning kicks, a development that has special teams coordinator Brant Boyer excited.

"He's a hell of a player, and he's really tough to tackle," Boyer said. "He's got speed to take it to the house all the time. Again, any time you can add a guy like that to the roster, you're jumping up for joy as a special teams coach."

The punt return competition, however, remains wide open.

"There's a handful of guys and, to be honest with you, hopefully somebody emerges," Boyer said. "I think [WR Jacob] Cowling, [WR Will] Pauling, [WR Jordan] Watkins, all those guys are back there. [WR] Junior Bergen. There's a big handful of guys, and hopefully they can make great decisions and catch the ball first and foremost. That's what's most important."

The battle at punter also remains unresolved, with Jack Bouwmeester and Corliss Waitman competing for the job. Boyer expects that competition to continue through the preseason.

"They're both doing a nice job," Boyer said. "Both have strong legs. It's just the consistency that you look for, so that's going to be the key, is how do they perform in the preseason games and things like that. Just like any other position, it's all how they perform in the preseason."

Next practice

49ers players are off on Tuesday and will return to practice on Wednesday. However, the schedule for the upcoming training camp practices has not yet been released.

Social media: 49ers practice updates