49ers-Raiders Joint Practices: A new position battle emerges as injuries bite
Kyle Shanahan spent much of his press conference after the first of two joint practices between the 49ers and the Raiders addressing two topics: injuries and Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo reunited with his former 49er teammates on Thursday as the Raiders quarterback went up against San Francisco's defense. But several of his ex-colleagues were not on […]
Kyle Shanahan spent much of his press conference after the first of two joint practices between the 49ers and the Raiders addressing two topics: injuries and Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo reunited with his former 49er teammates on Thursday as the Raiders quarterback went up against San Francisco's defense.
But several of his ex-colleagues were not on the field in Henderson, Nev. George Kittle (adductor), Drake Jackson and Dre Greenlaw (both hamstring), were all sidelined. Greenlaw started the practice but suffered what Shanahan described as a hamstring pull.
And with wide receiver and return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud set for surgery on a broken wrist, this practice heralded the start of a new position battle on the San Francisco roster.
49ers-Raiders Joint Practices: Key Takeaways for San Francisco
Kick returner competition
Shanahan confirmed McCloud will have surgery on Friday and is looking at an eight-week absence.
McCloud is an asset to the offense as a downfield threat who can make plays in space with the ball in his hands. However, his injury is more of a blow to the special teams than the offense.
If he is indeed out for eight weeks, McCloud would miss the first four games of the regular season, leaving the Niners needing to find a replacement returner to field kickoffs and punts.
There are several candidates, including rookie receiver Ronnie Bell and UDFA cornerback D'Shawn Jamison.
Asked about Bell, Shanahan replied: "He’s done a good job, he’s a natural catcher, he’s comfortable back there, so he’ll have an opportunity now."
The prospect of last year's third-round pick Danny Gray returning kicks was also put to Shanahan. Gray was drafted in part for his speed but that trait was not harnessed by the 49ers in a 2022 season in which he had just one catch.
“We try all our guys at returner, Danny may be more of a kickoff guy than a punt return guy. Kickoffs are a little easier to catch, punt is a different deal, you’ve got to make sure first and foremost that you’ve got a guy out there who’s comfortable with it. We know we have that, Kyle Juszczyk is one of the most comfortable and natural punt return catchers there is. Hopefully we’ll have a few other guys before our fullback is out there but he can do it too. That’ll be an open competition, it’ll be fun to watch.”
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McCloud finished ninth in kick return yardage and second in punt return yardage last season. The 49ers don't have a great deal of time to settle on a replacement for those opening four games, but they must make the right decision to ensure the drop-off from McCloud is not too steep.
Garoppolo praises ‘damn good’ D-Line
There have been a few changes to the 49ers’ roster since Garoppolo departed at the end of last season.
One thing that remains the same, however, is the strength of the defensive front, which drew praise from Garoppolo after another impressive practice from a line still without Nick Bosa as his holdout continues.
Said Garoppolo of going against the San Francisco defense:
"For the most part it was the same guys I was going against last year, Fred [Warner] running the show and everything, that D-Line's still damn good. It's a talented group, but I thought we held our own today."
Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw and Alex Barrett all enjoyed success in one on one drills. Yet despite the huge amount of pass-rushing prowess on the 49er defense, Garoppolo and the Raiders were able to have success moving the ball against Steve Wilks' starting unit.
Garoppolo finished his second move-the-ball drive with a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper. He saw a promising first such series come to an end with a third-down incompletion to Davante Adams.
The 49ers will hope for more success against Garoppolo on Friday but, regardless of the results on the practice field, linebacker Fred Warner is enjoying the reunion with his former starting quarterback.
"It was fun seeing him," said Warner. "I had to check him out before practice started, just ask him how things were, making sure they're treating well over here. He seems happy. It was fun to go against him out there again."
Lance outshines Darnold
It wouldn't be a review of a 49ers practice without focusing at least partially on the quarterback situation.
As usual Brock Purdy took all 27 first-team reps, going 11 of 16, but it was what happened behind him on the depth chart that was more intriguing.
Trey Lance finished practice with 19 reps in 11-on-11. By comparison, Darnold had just nine. Lance went six of 12 passing while Darnold was one of three, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Without context, that substantial gap in reps could be interpreted as Lance perhaps taking the lead in the battle to be QB2. However, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic, it was purely a product of Lance putting together a more productive two-minute drive to finish practice.
It was a drive that did not deliver the desired result as an accurate fourth-down throw by Lance was dropped by tight end Cameron Latu.
Latu has struggled significantly with drops in recent practices and, if either of Lance or Darnold are to impress in Sunday's preseason opener in an attempt to put themselves in the box seat to be the lead backup, they will need much more effective assistance from their pass-catchers.
The 49ers will practice with the Raiders again on Friday before enjoying a day off prior to Sunday's preseason clash at Allegiant Stadium.
Injury bug hits 49ers ahead of preseason opener
They will need to find a new starting return man.
Featured Image Credit: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports
