Observations from day 11 of 49ers training camp

After an off day on Monday, the 49ers returned to the practice field Tuesday. Here is what stood out during the 49ers 11th practice of training camp.

Quarterback play:

Jimmy Garoppolo finished the day 12-21 with one touchdown and one interception. Garoppolo’s best play came on his first throw in the early team period, when he fit the ball over the linebackers and in front of the safeties to Trent Sherfield, who was running a dig route. That would be the longest throw of the day for Garoppolo in team drills.

Garoppolo’s overall numbers look OK, but he was only 5-14 on throws to receivers not named George Kittle and had a redzone throw intercepted by Emmanuel Moseley. More on this play later.

Trey Lance was 10-15 with three touchdowns. The best stretch for Lance came during a redzone drill in the early team period. Lance would hit on all five of his targets, including three for touchdowns. The first touchdown came when Lance hit Brandon Aiyuk, who was running a quick slant route from the right slot. On his next snap, Lance would run sprint right option and hit Mohamed Sanu at the front pylon for another touchdown. On his final snap of the period, Lance would get the ball over the linebackers to a leaping Jauan Jennings.

Garoppolo and Lance would both lead their units down for field goals during a two-minute drill session during the second team period.

Garoppolo’s sequence included a stretch of five straight completions, including a throw to Mohamed Sanu that bounced off the receivers’ hands and Emmanuel Moseley before ultimately being caught by Deebo Samuel, to get the offense into field goal position.

After opening his series with a throw short throw to JaMycal Hasty on a screen to his left and a short gain on the ground by Hasty, Lance put his unit into field goal position when he hit Trent Sherfield with a perfectly placed fade route down the left sideline for a gain of approximately 35 yards. Lance’s next two passes would fall incomplete and the offense would be forced to settle for a field goal.

Emmanuel Moseley:

The 49ers starting secondary has looked much improved since Moseley began practicing last Friday. Moseley’s pass break up of a Garoppolo throw to Deebo Samuel put an end to the first team offenses two-minute drill.

Moseley would also make perhaps the defensive play of the day. With the offense facing fourth and goal, Moseley recognized the offense and signaled to safety Jimmie Ward what was coming. The adjustment worked perfectly as Moseley would step in front of Brandon Aiyuk to intercept the throw from Garoppolo. Terrific example of communication on this play.

George Kittle:

Kittle had one of his most productive days of training camp, catching all seven targets that Jimmy Garoppolo threw in his direction. Kittle didn’t receive any snaps with Trey Lance today.

Jason Verrett:

Verrett has been stellar throughout training camp. Jimmy Garoppolo rarely throws in his direction, and when he tried it today at the beginning of a two-minute drill Verrett was all over Brandon Aiyuk to knock the ball away.
Verrett looks like a veteran who is out to prove that he deserves a raise with his next contract.

Trent Sherfield:

Sherfield’s impressive training camp continued today. The receiver brought in five of the six passes thrown his way, including a nice reception over the middle on a throw from Jimmy Garoppolo and a deep reception down the left sideline on a throw from Trey Lance.

Considering his prowess on special teams, Sherfield’s play on offense will make him a lock for a spot on the final roster.

Interior defensive line:

The interior of the 49ers defensive line may be the deepest position on the 49ers roster, and that showed through today with D.J. Jones and Maurice Hurst recording sacks against the starting offensive line.

Kentavius Street’s strong camp continued today as he batted away a Trey Lance throw over the middle and forced the rookie quarterback to scramble two plays later.

Injury concerns:

Kyle Shanahan noted that they don’t expect to have safety Jaquiski Tartt back soon. The veteran is still battling through the turf toe injury that he suffered in week nine last season.

Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles missed practice. The linebacker has been placed in the concussion protocol after taking a shot from another defensive player during practice on Saturday.

Jalen Hurd was held out of practice again. Kyle Shanahan expressed concern with the amount of time that Hurd has missed in camp. If the receiver can’t find a way to stay on the field, it may be time for the team to move on.

Arik Armstead and Samson Ebukam were not on the field again today. The defensive ends are working through lower body issues.

Jack Hammer is a lifelong 49ers fan who shares insights on the team, and leads discussion on all football and team topics. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackHammer_NFL and subscribe to his YouTube Channel, YouTube.com/c/JackHammer49.