The run game gets rolling; Observations from day 12 at 49ers training camp

Here is what stood out from the 49ers twelfth practice during training camp in Santa Clara.

Starting cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Charvarius Ward both sat out practice with muscle strains in their legs. The hope is Moseley can return to the field next week, while it sounds like Ward will miss the next two.

Trey Lance

After having one of his best days on Tuesday, Wednesday was back to more of what we’ve seen from Trey Lance throughout most of 49ers training camp. 

Lance finished his day 9-19 throwing and had a few nice runs mixed in. 

Several deep shots down the right sideline fell incomplete, four in total, one resulting in a long pass interference on the defense. Lance also nearly threw another interception to Fred Warner; however, the linebacker could not hang on. Linebackers seem to get their hands on a lot of passes regardless of who is playing quarterback for San Francisco, 

Lance also ran the ball several times on designed runs, mainly between the tackles, with little to no success. The quarterback did have one designed run play around the right side, which went for a decent gain. 

The number of carries for Lance over the last few days is a bit concerning, considering what happened last season. For the 49ers to win games this year, they need to keep him healthy, something they could not do in his first start last season, which included several designed runs between the tackles. 

Lance did have some positive moments. Facing fourth and three, Lance beat pressure with a short flip to Trey Sermon on the right side for a catch and run of 28 yards. 

On his second to the last throw of the day, Lance fired a deep out to the left side off play action. Lance has struggled with consistency on these throws during camp, but his one hit Brandon Aiyuk in stride for a gain of 25. 

Fred Warner

Warner is constantly around the football. The All-Pro linebacker had his hands on another Trey Lance pass today. Lance was trying to hit George Kittle over the middle, and Warner stepped in front of the tight end and nearly took it the other way.

Earlier in practice, Warner showed what he could do in the run game when he dropped Trey Sermon for no gain on a run around the right side.

Nick Bosa

Bosa continued to terrorize Trey Lance. During a redzone play, Lance tried to bootleg out to his right only to find Bosa in his way. The quarterback tried to pull up and throw into the flat, but the Pro Bowl defensive end got his hands up in time to knock the ball down. 

Bosa followed that up by coming around the right side and nearly getting a sack on Lance, forcing the quarterback to check the ball down to running back Trey Sermon for a short gain.

Trey Sermon

Sermon worked with the starters and made the most of the opportunity. 

The second year running back had several positive runs, punctuated by a long scamper down the left sideline on a sweep and an 11-yard touchdown. Samuel’s run would be the only time the starting offense reached the endzone.

In addition to his strong day running, Sermon took a short throw from Lance for 28 yards.

Samuel Womack

For the second day in a row, Womack stuck with Jauan Jennings and broke up a pass in the endzone.

Yesterday it was on a quick out; today, the rookie stuck with Jennings on a route over the middle to bat away the pass from Trey Lance.

JaMycal Hasty

Today, Hasty showed off his speed on an inside run to the left. Hasty hit the hole fast, slid to his left, and screamed down the left sideline for a 55-yard touchdown run.

Kyle Juszczyk

The 49ers fullback had one of his busiest days of camp, finishing the day with three receptions. His biggest play came when Lance, who ran a bootleg to his left, found Juszczyk in the left flat for 15 yards on third and two.

Aaron Banks

Banks was matched up repeatedly with Javon Kinlaw during team periods. He looks much more comfortable at left guard and continues to get better. 

Brock Purdy

Purdy started practice hitting each of his first four passes, including a deep shot down the left sideline which hit Brandon Aiyuk in stride. The rookie completed six of seven pass attempts, the lone incompletion being a drop by Austin Mack.

Jordan Willis

Willis dropped rookie Tyrion Davis-Price for a loss of three. He did a solid job of setting the edge throughout today’s practice.

Kemoko Turay

Turay beat undrafted rookie free agent Sam Schlueter around the edge to sack Brock Purdy. 

The veteran pass rusher is quick around the edge and has a spin move that few of the 49ers offensive linemen have successfully stopped.

Ambry Thomas

It’s been a rough camp for Thomas, but he broke up a quick slant intended for Deebo Samuel during one-on-one drills.