Here is what stood out from the 49ers ninth day of training camp in Santa Clara.
After practicing the last two days Saturday was a scheduled off day for Brock Purdy. As a result, Sam Darnold and Trey Lance split reps with the first and second offensive lines.
Sam Darnold
Darnold took the first reps of the day. The veteran started off hot completing his first five pass attempts, but the ball barely went past the line of scrimmage. In fact, the first throw was nothing more than a quick shovel forward to Deebo Samuel on a jet sweep. After a short completion to Brandon Aiyuk off play action, Darnold completed a screen to Christian McCaffrey which was stopped for a loss of yardage.
Facing third and twelve, Darnold finally pushed the ball down the field somewhat as he connected with Danny Gray on a curl to the right side to pick up the first down.
The next possession for Darnold nearly ended with an interception. Trying to fit the ball to rookie Brayden Willis, the tight end could not make the play. As a result, the ball caromed into the air allowing rookie linebacker Jalen Graham to nearly come away with an interception. A short completion to Ray-Ray McCloud followed.
The offense next moved into a backed-up situation, taking possession at their own five.
Darnold was given two shots with the second offensive line. On the first he found Chris Conley running a slant to the left side for a first down.
The second series for Darnold wasn’t as smooth. He opened the possession with a deep throw down the left sideline to Ray-Ray McCloud. The receiver had gotten behind the defensive back, however, the throw was short and towards the sideline. This allowed the defensive back to make up ground and knock the ball away. To plays later, facing third and eight, Darnold threw incomplete on an in breaking route to Troy Fumagalli.
Darnold opened his one possession during move the ball with a deep incompletion to Brandon Aiyuk who was running a corner route. As was the case with the deep throw to McCloud the possession before, Darnold underthrew the receiver allowing Tashaun Gipson to come across and knock the ball away. This was a situation in which Darnold needed to rip the throw to Aiyuk, who was wide open, instead of lofting it high.
The veteran quarterback finished the practice 9-13 overall.
Trey Lance
Lance’s day was the opposite of his veteran counterpart with the third-year quarterback struggling during the early going.
The first two passes from Lance, one to Tay Martin and one to Jauan Jennings were well off the mark. Lance’s next throw wasn’t any better as he overthrew Deebo Samuel who was running free down the right sideline.
Following the 0-3 start, Lance completed eight of his next ten attempts. After completing a check down to Jordan Mason, Lance found Christian McCaffrey over the middle on a choice route for a big gain. This was a beautiful ball that split two linebackers on its way to the running back.
During a backed-up situation at their own five, Lance moved the 49ers starting offense to first downs on both possessions.
Lance opened the first series with an eight yard completion to Deebo Samuel. Jordan Mason picked up the first down with a seven yard gain on the next play.
The second possession was successful despite a rough start.
On first down Lance threw low and behind Kyle Juszczyk and the pass was nearly intercepted by linebacker Curtis Robinson. Just as he did yesterday, Lance bounced back. A short strike to Deebo Samuel for six was followed by a ten yard completion to Brandon Aiyuk on a quick slant to the left side for the first down.
Lance completed practice by leading the second team offense to a touchdown in his one possession during move the ball.
A short completion from Lance to McCloud opened the drive. Ty Davis-Price followed with a pair of runs which netted 18 yards and a run by Danny Gray put the ball on the 31. From there Lance scrambled for a gain of six.
On first and ten from the 25, Lance threw deep down the left sideline to Willie Snead. The receiver was well covered but made an incredible play to come down with the ball for a touchdown. Lance did a good job of giving his receiver an opportunity to make a play, and Snead delivered.
Lance ended his day 8-13 with the touchdown throw, his second of training camp.
Brandon Allen
Allen completed six of his eight attempts on the day, including one of the best deep throws we have seen during this camp when he connected with Willie Snead down the left sideline.
The veteran backup has the best looking deep ball on the team.
Tashaun Gipson
Came away with a nice pass breakup of a deep throw from Sam Darnold to Brandon Aiyuk. The ball hung in the air and Gipson was able to get over and knock the pass away.
Drake Jackson
Jackson recorded a sack of Sam Darnold. Coverage downfield forced the quarterback to hold on to the ball, and when pressure elsewhere forced him to move Jackson was on the spot to get his hand on the quarterback.
D’Shawn Jamison
Jamison was beaten deep over the middle by Danny Gray, but he kept after the play and came away with a pass breakup when Sam Darnold underthrew the receiver.
On Monday, 49ers general manager John Lynch told us Jamison would start to see reps inside. This occurred today with the undrafted rookie free agent lining up in the slot on occasion.
Dre Greenlaw
The starting linebacker sniffed out a screen to Christian McCaffrey, dropping the running back for a loss of three.
Charvarius Ward
The cornerback got matched up with George Kittle and was able to knock away the throw over the middle from Trey Lance.
Danny Gray
The second year receiver has started to come on over the last week. Today Gray showed off his versatility when he took off around the right side on a run for a long gain.
Spencer Waege
The rookie defensive tackle has been impressive. Today he sniffed out a screen to his side and dropped Jordan Mason for a loss.
Willie Snead
The veteran wideout got open deep twice, hauling in shot from Brandon Allen and making an incredible catch on a throw from Trey Lance for a touchdown to wrap up practice.
Jalen Graham
The seventh-round draft pick has been coming on over the last few practices. Today he nearly came away with his first interception of training camp on a deflection off the hands of Brayden Willis.
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