49ers training camp: Chargers joint practice sparks defensive concerns

The San Francisco 49ers held their 14th full training camp practice on Tuesday as they continued preparations for the 2026 NFL season. The practice was a joint session with the Los Angeles Chargers, whom the 49ers will face in Thursday night's preseason matchup.

The 49ers made two roster moves ahead of practice, signing defensive lineman Evan Anderson to a one-year deal and waiving injured defensive lineman Titus Leo, who signed with the team on August 2. Leo suffered a concussion during Sunday's practice.

Below are some of the key takeaways from the 9:50 a.m. PT practice at The Bolt, the Chargers' practice facility in El Segundo, California. These updates were compiled from multiple media reports.

Noteworthy non-participants

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

• DE Nick Bosa (soreness, tendinitis)
• LB Luke Gifford (hamstring)
• DT Gracen Halton (ankle)
• CB Nate Hobbs (groin)
• RB Jordan James (rib fracture)
• FB Kyle Juszczyk (finger fracture)
• WR Christian Kirk (calf strain)
• OT Vederian Lowe (high-ankle sprain)
• RB Christian McCaffrey (tightness)
• S Malik Mustapha (hamstring strain)
• RG Dominick Puni (concussion)
• QB Kurtis Rourke (rib)
• OL Brett Toth (concussion)
• WR Malik Turner (undisclosed)
• DT C.J. West (concussion)

Injury updates

Rookie running back Kaelon Black returned to practice after being sidelined by an adductor injury. His return is significant for a running back room that has been dealing with several training camp injuries.

Additionally, defensive end Keion White, who has also been dealing with an adductor injury, started practice in pads. However, after about an hour, he removed them and did not participate in team drills.

RELATED Encouraging injury updates on McCaffrey, Bosa, Evans, others

Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, who has been sidelined due to an undisclosed issue, also returned to practice.

Mike Evans' practice ended early. The wide receiver exited the field to have his left foot/ankle wrapped and iced. The good news is that Evans was seen shortly afterward observing the remainder of practice, with his foot/ankle no longer wrapped. However, he moved the ice pack to his left quad. Remember, Evans recently missed time during training camp due to a quad strain.

"They just said he has some tightness, so we were just being smart, taking him out," head coach Kyle Shanahan said after practice. "I don't think it's anything worse, so we'll see when we get in there, but nothing that I'm worried about right now."

Unavailable players

The 49ers reached an injury settlement with defensive end K.J. Henry, removing him from their injured reserve list.

Physically unable to perform (PUP)

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

Injured reserve (IR)

• DL Andrew Farmer (back)
• S Darrick Forrest
• DE Mikail Kamara (ACL)
• WR Ricky Pearsall (PCL)

Reserve/left squad

• WR Brandon Aiyuk

No fights

Unlike last week's joint practice against the Tennessee Titans, there were no fights during the 49ers' joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. When asked if the team did anything differently to keep the session civil, head coach Kyle Shanahan poked fun at his friend, Titans head coach Robert Saleh.

"No, their head coach had more discipline than Tennessee's," Shanahan quipped. "No, I'm just joking. A few things started early in the Tennessee practice, which, when that happens, then everything just gets escalated throughout the rest of the day.

"I wasn't on both sides, but nothing happened early, and usually when nothing happens early, nothing happens late."

Offensive notes

Quarterback Brock Purdy looked comfortable early on against the Chargers' defense, throwing with rhythm to his pass catchers throughout the practice.

Rookie running back Kaelon Black, participating in his first practice since returning from injury, broke off a couple of big runs early against the Chargers' defense, including this deep run down the left sideline:

"I thought he looked good hitting the hole and running hard," Purdy said of Black after practice. "You could tell there's a different level of intensity when he touches the ball, and I'm excited to see what he does in live action, too, with breaking tackles, hitting the gaps, and stuff like that.

"But I thought, from the jump, K.B. came out running pretty hard, so it was exciting to see him back."

Black also hauled in an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Adrian Martinez. Shanahan expects Black to see some playing time in Thursday night's preseason game against the Chargers, with Christian McCaffrey unlikely to suit up.

Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling continued to make an impression, hauling in a pair of contested touchdowns in the red zone, as shown in the video below.

"Those were two good plays," Shanahan said. "I think he had a couple rough ones too, so I'll hold my opinion until I really see the tape, but he's competing every day and getting better."

Purdy and wide receiver Mike Evans connected on two passes, including a 20-yard completion with Evans working against Chargers safety R.J. Mickens. Evans later exited practice due to "tightness" (see above).

Wide receiver Jacob Cowing had a 15-yard reception from quarterback Mac Jones, while wide receiver Demarcus Robinson hauled in a 15-yard reception from Purdy.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel continued to get work at various spots, catching passes and taking handoffs from the quarterbacks. Rookie guard Carver Willis delivered a nice block against Chargers defensive tackle Teair Tart to spring Samuel for a good gain on a carry.

Chargers linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips intercepted Brock Purdy in the end zone on a pass intended for tight end Luke Farrell. Chargers safety Derwin James deflected the pass, allowing Phillips to come down with it.

Mac Jones tossed an interception to Chargers cornerback Eric Rogers on a pass intended for wide receiver Jordan Watkins. However, Jones also connected with wide receiver Trenton Irwin on a deep throw.

Purdy shared his thoughts on the 49ers' offensive performance against the Chargers.

"Honestly, I don't think it was our best day," Purdy said. "I feel like fundamentals and stuff were just a little off and whatnot. Obviously there was some good stuff, some stuff we need to work on, but I just feel like we could have come out with a little bit more chip on our shoulder, offensively."

Defensive notes

The 49ers' defensive backs struggled against the Chargers' passing attack, with quarterback Justin Herbert and his receiving corps putting on a show for the Chargers' season-ticket holders in attendance. Cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and rookie Ephesians Prysock were among the victims of some impressive deep throws from Herbert.

"Anytime you get to go against another team, it's a great opportunity to see where you stand," linebacker Fred Warner said. "I always look forward to joint practices for that reason—to come out and be in a game-like setting against another opponent. Luckily, it was a good test for us."

Speaking of Warner, the star linebacker forced a fumble by Chargers tight end David Njoku with one of his trademark peanut punches. Cornerback Jack Jones recovered the loose ball.

"Over the years, I try to practice it so much where it's not even a thought in my mind," Warner said. "It's just second nature, at this point."

Jack Jones nearly intercepted Herbert but couldn't hold onto the ball.

Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa continued to stand out with consistent pressure on Chargers quarterbacks. It's worth noting that several of the 49ers' pass-defense deficiencies during practice—had this been an actual game—likely would have been negated by Odighizuwa's sacks. Quarterbacks cannot be touched during practices.

"Osa is a baller," Purdy said. "I think [he's] one of the more slept-on guys in the league, so I'm extremely excited that we have him. And every single play, he's almost going to sack me, it feels like. He's done a great job all camp."

Warner added, "Osa just seems like he just keeps getting better and better. I love the mindset, the tenacity, the physicality that he brings to the position and to our defense. We know how important it is to get pressure up front on the quarterback and in the run game, so I think Osa is just going to continue to get better as we keep going."

Safety Ji'Ayir Brown was on the receiving end of a collision with Chargers running back Omarion Hampton, who ripped off several big runs during the session.

Rookie defensive end Romello Height pressured Chargers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. Defensive linemen James Thompson Jr., Ogbo Okoronkwo, and newly re-signed Evan Anderson generated pressure on former 49ers quarterback Trey Lance. Anderson even got his hands up to deflect a Lance pass that fell incomplete.

Thompson, who signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent, has also quietly impressed throughout training camp.

Defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez beat Chargers center Jake Slaughter for what would have been a tackle for loss in a game setting.

Next practice

The 49ers won't hold a full practice again until after the team's preseason game against the Chargers on Thursday night.

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