Positives and Negatives From the 49ers First Joint Practice
The 49ers held their first joint practice with the Denver Broncos today in preparation for their first preseason game against them on Saturday. This practice marked the first time the 49ers have seen both linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga suit up in a different practice uniform. On both sides of the ball, there were some highlights and standouts throughout practice. However, there were many headlines that could draw some concerns as the regular season gets closer.
To begin, the offense struggled early in seven-on-seven today. San Francisco was eager to target wide receiver Ricky Pearsall early and often, which led to inconsistent success from starting quarterback Brock Purdy through the air. To no surprise, Denver’s defense was truly shut down in the first period of practice. Purdy missed on several passes, two of which were intercepted. With these struggles, the 49ers attempted to lean on the running game with running back Christian McCaffrey, which showed little success behind an unreliable offensive line unit that remains a liability without Trent Williams on the field.
The 49ers stars finally began to hit their stride later on. Purdy’s chemistry with Pearsall and rookie Jordan Watkins continued to grow while McCaffrey and George Kittle had a strong presence, remaining constants throughout the day. Although it’s only the first practice with an opposing team this season, it’s important to point out the development this offense still needs to experience to return to its unstoppable 2023 form. In 2025, Purdy will have fewer weapons than in years past. However, Purdy will now be expected, more than ever, to elevate the offense. With a new contract extension, there are new, big steps to take for the team's franchise quarterback.
Moving to the defensive side of the ball, Mykel Williams’ apparent knee injury during today’s practice will likely sideline him for an extended period. This isn’t a positive sign for a player who’s already dealt with multiple injuries this offseason and a team that hasn’t had the best injury luck over the years. Despite his injury, the defense looked promising in samples throughout practice, with rookie Upton Stout standing out once again during one-on-one drills. In addition, after taking several rest days due to soreness, Nick Bosa seemed to dominate former teammate Mike McGlinchey on the majority of reps.
