SANTA CLARA — Trey Lance looked just like a rookie Wednesday, a true rarity in his debut 49ers training camp.
There he was, trudging toward the locker room with two helmets in each hand, plus veterans’ shoulder pads. It’s a rookie ritual at NFL camps everywhere.
Only the 49ers, however, have Lance. That’s looking really smart of them. And they’re buying into the hype that’s growing daily about the No. 3 overall draft pick.
Lance gives off no vibes of entitlement. Carrying those helmets and shoulder pads off the field exhibited his humilty.
“Just another day in the life,” Lance said to an observer as he smiled and headed for the locker room.
Lance is stacking near-perfect practices. After completing 14-of-15 passes and running so smooth in Tuesday’s debut in full pads, Wednesday’s encore (7-of-8 passing, three runs) was equally inspiring, and not just by reporters observing the bloom of a quarterback controversy.
“Everybody’s eyes are locked on him. He’s special,” defensive tackle D.J. Jones said.
“There’s an element of confidence that’s unique,” offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel said. “I wouldn’t say he’s loud or boisterous. There’s a confident swag that appeals to players.”
Lance is still restricted to second-team reps, against reserve defenders, but the 49ers are mixing in their best receivers for him to target, such as George Kittle, who caught a 45-yard throw Lance casually chucked downfield a day after a 50-yard spiral found Trent Sherfield. Both completions seized on mismatches with linebacker Jonas Griffith.
“He’s got a great touch with those down field passes,” Kittle said. “You’ve just got to throw it out there. I do play tight end but I feel I’m decently fast.”
Lance did exactly that on his lone incompletion on eight attempts in full-team drills Wednesday, throwing a 40-yard pass toward Kittle, who was tightly covered by safety Talanoa Hufanga and the ball fell to the ground alongside them by the right sideline.
“He’s just gaining confidence in his abilities,” Kittle said. “He’s obviously still a rookie. There’s timing things he needs to figure out, but he’s definitely making progress. That’s all you want to see from everybody on the field, especially a No. 3 draft pick.”
That’s about as glowing a recommendation as Kittle can give without breaching his bond with Jimmy Garoppolo, who had a 6-of-11 passing day that’s been about his standard through seven practices.
Coach Kyle Shanahan did not speak to reporters Wednesday but has been steadfast that Lance is not ready to cut into Garoppolo’s first-team reps and will only seize the starting role if he proves ready; Sept. 12 is the regular-season opener at Detroit.
Contrary to general manager John Lynch’s claim on a podcast with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Garoppolo isn’t looking at his best (think: New Orleans, 2019). Nor his worst (think: 2020 post-ankle injury).
Garoppolo is still looking like a quarterback in better command of a complex offense, one who remains a vocal leader on the field, one who looks like he’s enjoying himself when not throwing the occasional stinker pass, and one who knows his successor is lurking in a shrinking shadow.
One snap after running on a zone-read play, Lance rolled left and looked ready to run again, unplanned. However, Brandon Aiyuk found an open spot in the defense, Lance spotted him and looked away to keep Aiyuk open, then rifled a 10-yard completion to him.
“Good throw, rook,” one of the pursuing defenders said to Lance.
Count defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans among the growing admirers, saying: “He can hit every route. It’s been fun to watch him work and he’s getting better every day.”
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans loves how Lance is “stressing out” his second-string defenders, including rookie cornerbacks Ambry Thomas and Deommodore Lenoir, who could be thrust into key duty the way the depth chart sits.
Lance may be new here, too, but he’s helping tutor those in need, with McDaniels noting: “He’s comfortable in his own skin and is getting to the point he can correct other players.”
McDaniel raved at Lance’s improved footwork from the 40-day break before camp, soemthing coaches stressed for him to work on so he could focus on the defensive formations and reads once practice hit full throttle, as it is now.
Lance was inserted into a first-team rep Tuesday for a specialized running play, just as he was Wednesday on a third-team rep. He’s looking better than any second-string quarterback Shanahan has ever had in five years, that’s for sure.
Added Kittle: “He’s got confidence because he’s a hell of a football player. He studies his (butt) off. He studies really hard then comes in and gets extra work, whether it’s studying the playbook or the rookies have extra film. He’s in there with Kyle all the time.”
CORNERBACK CHANGES
Tim Harris Jr. opened camp with his biggest opportunity on the 49ers: first-string cornerback. A week later, he’s been waived with a groin injury, presumably clearing his familiar path back to injured reserve if he isn’t cleared Thursday.
Harris was a 2019 sixth-round draft pick whose injury history is troubling. A groin injury also kept him out his rookie season. He spent most of last season on the practice squad, though he had a three-game stint on injured reserve with a calf issue and he played 18 total snaps all on special teams in two December games.
With Harris gone and Dontae Johnson (foot) ailing, the 49ers signed journeyman B.W. Webb, who entered the NFL as a 2013 fourth-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys. Webb gave up a couple completions in his debut Wednesday.
Ryans wisely wants Thomas and Lenoir to get targeted as often as possible to get them ready for their rookie seasons. What he wants out of them is focus on fundaments and daily improvement.
BOSA, EBUKAM REST
Defensive ends Nick Bosa and Samson Ebukam did not participate in practice. It was a scheduled “maintenance day” in Bosa’s knee recovery. Ebukam battled leg soreness earlier in camp but Ryans wouldn’t clarify Wednesday’s absence.
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel returned to action after resting a groin issue Tuesday.
A ‘STRONG’ SAFETY
Tavon Wilson continues to excel as the first-team strong safety, a role vacated at the start of camp by Jaquiski Tartt going on the COVID reserve list. Wilson nearly intercepted a Garoppolo pass Wednesday and Ryans praised the veteran’s acquisition for how well he’s leading and communicating.
TIGHT END SHUFFLE
Josh Pederson, an undrafted rookie and the son of former Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson, was cut after six quiet practices. Replacing him on the tight end unit is Joshua Perkins, whose played with the Atlanta Falcons (2016-17) and Eagles (2018-20). Veteran MyCole Pruitt (calf) remains out of practice.
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Author: Cam Inman