49ers QB Roll Call: How do Lance, Darnold look in first practice as Purdy watches?
SANTA CLARA – To help chart the 49ers’ quarterbacks throughout training camp, here is a daily recap from our sideline clipboard:
BROCK PURDY
Did not participate in Wednesday’s first official practice of camp — as planned — but he shadowed the pre-practice walk-through, then watched while gripping a towel draped around his neck.
Purdy threw an ample amount Tuesday, earning a green light for camp from the 49ers’ medical staff (and Dr. Keith Meister, who repaired Purdy’s elbow in March.) He is expected to throw in Thursday’s and Friday’s sessions, then be off Saturday, along with the rest of the 49ers. So, two days on, one day off is his prescribed path these first few weeks.
Stats: None
TREY LANCE
A year after Kyle Shanahan declared “This is Trey’s team” to open camp, this is now Lance’s time to showcase a crisper throwing motion and better footwork. He did just that on Wednesday, albeit in what Shanahan described as a “basic stuff” practice with low reps.
“It’s his third year calling plays, third year getting in and out of the huddle. He’s doing awesome at it,” Shanahan said after practice.
Lance took the initial reps with the first-string unit, and his only pass in that sequence was a completion to Ty Davis-Price. In the next 11-on-11 session, Lance threw a nice pass about 20 yards downfield toward Deebo Samuel, who failed to corral it while impressively bracketed in coverage by Fred Warner and Deommodore Lenoir.
Lance followed that with back-to-back completions toward the left sideline, with Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk capturing those challenged balls in tight coverage.
Stats: 6-of-9 overall; 4-of-5 in full-team action, 2-of-4 in 7-on-7 drills.
SAM DARNOLD
Offseason scuttlebutt planted Darnold as a potential season-opening starter if Purdy was still recovering. That’s because Darnold has a talented arm, loads of experience, and a $3.5 million guaranteed deal. So begins his first camp with the 49ers, after the past two at the Carolina Panthers and his first three with the New York Jets.
The play of the day came on Darnold’s deep shot to Danny Gray, who beat Ambry Thomas off the line, but safety Talanoa Hufanga rushed to the rescue and batted away the ball in All-Pro form. (Shanahan called it “a hell of a play,” and was curious how Hufanga closed in on it after Darnold looked him off.)
Darnold got first snaps when it came to 7-on-7 action, and he immediately tried connecting with Deebo Samuel, who was blanketed in coverage by Charvarius Ward on an incompletion. Darnold came back two snaps later with a completion to Samuel against nickel back Isaiah Oliver.
Stats: 5-of-8 overall; 2-of-4 in full-team drills, 3-of-4 in 7-on-7 action.
BRANDON ALLEN
Allen was signed under the impression he’d be greatly needed the first couple weeks of camp before Purdy would return. Instead, Purdy is back, and Allen’s opportunities could be scarce.
“We really liked him so far. We don’t just get rid of guys we like,” Shanahan said of the expectation he’ll carry four quarterbacks through camp, even after Purdy’s reps ramp up soon.
Allen’s only pass in 11-on-11 action found Grey for a terrific sideline catch; Trey Swilling and Avery Young broke up earlier passes by Allen.
Stats: 3-of-6 overall; 2-of-5 in full-team drills, 1-of-1 in 7-on-7 action.