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The 49ers were back on the practice field Saturday following their preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Their preseason window is quickly closing with their flight to Australia less than two weeks away for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10.
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Ahead lies the preseason finale Thursday against the Raiders in Las Vegas. The team will hold a few practices at their Santa Clara facility before heading down under for their week of preparation ahead of Week 1.
Here are our observations from Saturday’s session.
Shanahan is all the way back?
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was calling plays into the offense throughout the full-team periods of Saturday’s practice. It was the first time he’s done that since his car accident July 14 in which he suffered a concussion, broken ribs and required stitches to repair his face. He’s also ditched the wrap he wore on his left hand.
Shanahan previously yielded play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, who has called plays throughout the preseason. Shanahan running the offense is a sign he’s at least close to fully back after opening training camp limited in his duties because of the concussion.
New injury news
Among the players not participating Saturday was rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, who had 11 catches for 109 yards in his first two preseason games. The team said Stribling was dealing with a shoulder issue and didn’t specify the significance.
Also not participating were starting cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder) and Renardo Green (hamstring).
Offensive lineman Austen Pleasants, who appears to be the latest candidate in the battle to start at left guard, was also absent after suffering a leg injury in Thursday’s game. Rookie fourth-round pick Carver Willis, for now, appears to be the top option to start.
Key players returning
Back in the mix was receiver Mike Evans, who left Tuesday’s joint practice against the Chargers early where he reportedly iced his ankle and quadriceps. Evans made a nice down-field catch from Brock Purdy early in team drills and later scored a touchdown on a short pass in a red-zone period. Fellow wideout Demarcus Robinson was also back at practice.
Also back was starting right guard Dominick Puni and defensive tackle CJ West, who both suffered concussions in recent practices.
The running game got another boost with the return of second-year back Jordan James, who re-inserted himself into the competition to back up Christian McCaffrey with rookie Kaelon Black, who made his preseason debut Tuesday. The running game looks substantially better without McCaffrey with Black and James in the fold.
Still no George Kittle
How much practice time will George Kittle need before potentially making the trip to Australia?
There was some thought he would return to practice Saturday, at least in limited fashion, as he works toward playing against the Rams after tearing his Achilles in January. But he wasn’t out there Saturday, instead doing his typical conditioning work before joining his teammates and coaches later in the practice.
Kittle said he’ll need some practice time before determining if he’ll play. And that decision will likely be made before the team flies to Australia, because it makes little sense for Kittle to spend some 36 hours on a plane if he’s not going to play.
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The 49ers will practice Sunday and Tuesday before the Raiders game Thursday. And then will likely have only a few practices after that before getting on the plane, meaning it’s getting close to crunch time for Kittle and his Week 1 decision.
Can the 49ers survive at tight end without Kittle?
Backup tight end Jake Tonges, who scored five touchdowns last year, caught three straight passes from Purdy during a full-team session, including a long touchdown.
Tonges and Luke Farrell have both played well throughout training camp, which could give the 49ers some breathing room and not force Kittle back.
No Bosa, no McCaffrey
The 49ers hinted at McCaffrey returning to practice for the first time in a couple of weeks after dealing with “tightness” early in training camp. But he did not return, instead allowing the bulk of the reps to go to Black and James.
Same for Bosa, who was not out at practice since being shut down following the first week of training camp while he continues to work back from last September’s ACL tear.
In Bosa’s stead, Keion White was at practice again Saturday after returning on Tuesday. He had a would-be sack of Mac Jones on one of the first snaps of the team period.
Deebo back to being Deebo?
Reporters aren’t allowed to divulge specifics when it comes to plays and formations seen at practice.
But here’s an educated guess when it comes to Deebo Samuel’s return to the offense: it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him used in similar ways as he was during his first stint with the 49ers. Samuel is a unique weapon and appears poised to have a significant role in the offense.
Dugger thrown into the fire
No team was better in using three tight ends last season than the Rams, who happen to be the 49ers’ first opponent. And no linebacker on the team — outside of All-Pro Fred Warner — appears more built to cover tight ends than rookie Jaden Dugger.
Dugger was the main talking point in defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ press conference Saturday, because all signs are pointing to Dugger having a key role in the defense.
“It’s always in the making,” Morris said when asked about Dugger’s role in Week 1. “You hope the best players are going to be out there. And that’s what you got to do, you got to find ways for people to help the football team, and he’s finding his role. He’s finding his niche.”
Dugger played safety at Georgetown before transferring to Louisiana and moving to linebacker. He gained the attention of scouts there given his athleticism and length (35-inch arms). He’s worked at all three linebacker positions throughout camp, indicating Morris has a lot of faith in him early.
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