49ers Joint Practice Recap: Shanahan Updates Evans, Bosa, and Preseason Plans
Kyle Shanahan clarifies Christian McCaffrey's absence and teases Brock Purdy's preseason debut while managing veteran Mike Evans' injury scare during an intense physical session against the Chargers.
Video Transcript
San Francisco forty-niners and the Los Angeles Chargers wrapped up an intense joint practice on Tuesday at the Bolt, offering both coaching staffs high-value physical benchmarks ahead of Thursday night's preseason clash.
Following the session, head coach Kyle Shanahan met with media to provide extensive rundown of injury recoveries, roster speculation, and his plans for Thursday night's exhibition, which included a potential preseason debut for franchise quarterback Brock Purdy.
San Francisco received a boost with wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson, rookie running back Kalen Ballage, and defensive end Kwon White all returning to the field.
Robinson returned to team drills without issues after missing Sunday's session.
Meanwhile, marquee offseason addition Mike Evans sparked a brief scare.
The veteran wideout initially had his left ankle and foot wrapped with ice before moving the pack to his left quad.
He eventually moved the ice, exited the field, and watched the remainder of practice from the sidelines.
Shanahan quickly downplayed by saying, "They just said he had some tightness, so we're being smart taking him out.
I don't think it's anything worse, so we'll see when we get it there.
But nothing that I'm worried about right now."
Unlike the preseason opener, where almost every frontline star rested, Shanahan confirmed that a m-- major shift will happen for Thursday's night at Levi Stadium.
Both Shanahan and the Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh plan to play several starters, giving the first string real g-game time speed reps. "Not all of them, but I expect a number of starters to play."
Unlike last week, Shanahan noted, "I haven't told them yet, but they'll find out soon.
But yeah, you guys will see a number out there."
McCaffrey has hold in rumors that Shanahan quickly shut down as well, saying, "I think they make a lot of assumptions, and that would be one on-- that they're wrong on.
I think if it wasn't Christian and we were in a game week, I think he would play today."
Shanahan jokingly decided to decline to pinpoint the exact location of McCaffrey's l-lower body tightness, noting that Christian gets sensitive about precise injury labels, which is why the team continues to list him as broad with tightness.
Additional injury notes include Christian Kirk, Mychal Williams, and Renardo Green, who are all working their way back in some form or another.
Shanahan had also admitted that he's surprised after two offensive linemen sustained concussions in a single practice recently despite wearing protective guardian caps.
He said, "I think it shows you those only do so much.
My favorite thing about those is quarterbacks don't break their hands as much on top of them either.
But regardless of what you're wearing, if you get hit right in the head, it's not enough."
