By admin 
The 49ers were missing 20 players from their 90-man roster by the end of their training camp practice on Wednesday.
Read more Malachi Toney ‘glows’ on and off the field. Hurricanes star is ready for Year 2
That was after reserve offensive lineman Nick Zakelj walked off the field with a member of the training staff midway through the session and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu suffered an apparent lower-leg injury that he struggled to put weight on while his teammates did a post-practice huddle.
Okuayinonu’s ding came while the 49ers were already without Nick Bosa (soreness), Mykel Williams (ACL recovery) and Keione White (adductor), making defensive end the position most heavily impacted by injuries through the first week and a half of training camp. Okuayinonu missing time would mean the team’s top four defensive ends are dealing with something.
Yet while 20 is near the 23 absences that led to the 49ers canceling their joint practices with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, that isn’t in the plans for next Tuesday’s joint session against the Tennessee Titans ahead of their Aug. 13 preseason opener two nights later.
“It’s yet to come up in anything I’ve heard,” assistant head coach Chris Foerster said, who continues to serve as the acting head coach while Kyle Shanahan recovers from his car accident last month. “Doesn’t mean it hasn’t been discussed.”
Except for Ricky Pearsall, whose swelling of his PCL in his right knee will lead to season-ending surgery, there’s no indication that any of the players hurt since training camp began are in jeopardy of missing Week 1, and a number of players who missed Wednesday could have been able to play in a game scenario, Foerster said.
“It seems like we’re very healthy,” Foerster said. “I mean, we have injuries. We have dings and bumps and bruises, and guys have missed practices. We should have plenty (of players). It’s two deep at every position in practice.”
The 49ers will have another practice Thursday before a “walk-through” Friday. They’re slated to have a lengthy practice Saturday before setting the schedule for the following week culminating in the preseason game against Tennessee.
Big names miss practice
The 49ers said Bosa, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa were out with “general soreness” and they sat out as a precaution. Bosa hasn’t participated in team drills while working back from last September’s ACL tear.
Greenlaw watched the full-team portion of practice from behind the defense near John Lynch and Shanahan and mimicked running the plays.
Read more Summer doldrums? Xavier Becerra keeps low profile after bitter primary
Additionally, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was out after fracturing a finger, receiver Jacob Cowing was dealing with a hip flexor injury and rookie offensive lineman Carver Willis was out with a concussion. Receiver Mike Evans continued his work on the side field while dealing with a quad strain, though he light-heartedly juked some reporters along the sidelines midway though practice.
Rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling remained out with hamstring tightness. Offensive lineman Brett Toth was out for an undisclosed reason.
Purdy sharp, ends practice with long TD
Brock Purdy was sharp on the practice field and has played well — albeit in a practice setting — despite so many injuries at receiver.
He fired a well-placed pass to running back Patrick Taylor that was slightly behind him and away from a safety to score a touchdown in a red zone period. He ran for a score on a designed run a few plays later, and finished his practice with a long touchdown pass to Jordan Watkins, who was wide open in what appeared to be a coverage bust.
Purdy also made a strong throw to Demarcus Robinson along the left sideline during a fourth-down drill.
Overall, Purdy has been sharp and passes the eye test. He was particularly good over the middle of the field Wednesday while hitting tight end Luke Garrell, who was often matched up against Fred Warner. Warner woofed at Purdy early in practice, essentially daring him to throw at him in coverage. Purdy went back to Farrell in the move-the-ball period and Warner didn’t have much to say.
Washington adds a receiver who isn’t Brandon Aiyuk
The Washington Commanders on Wednesday reportedly signed receiver Stefon Diggs to their depleted receiving corps. That’s notable from the 49ers’ perspective because of what it means for Brandon Aiyuk, who has said repeatedly he plans to sign with Washington amid his falling out with San Francisco.
However, Aiyuk remains on the reserve/left squad list, which means he doesn’t count against the 49ers’ 90-man roster or their salary cap. He must petition the NFL for reinstatement before he can play again.
If he did, he would likely force the 49ers to release him or risk having to pay him for injury. Which would lead to him signing wherever he wanted. Otherwise, Aiyuk can’t sign with the Commanders, who might have just given his spot away with the signing of Diggs.
Read more California Gov. Gavin Newsom to stump for Democrats in Michigan
This story was originally published August 5, 2026 at 3:18 PM.