49ers camp takeaways: Purdy shines, Pearsall turns heads originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Programming Note: Watch “49ers Training Camp Live” with Matt Maiocco and Jennifer Lee Chan at 3 p.m. PT today from Santa Clara, streaming live on the NBC Sports app, YouTube It is Facebook.
SANTA CLARA — The 49ers wrapped up their second week of training camp Wednesday with a well-balanced session that included some highlight plays on both sides of the ball.
Safety Talanoa Hufanga was seen on the sidelines talking to defensive coach Daniel Bullocks on the field, observing the defense as the day began with the usual setup of plays.
The session began with individual drills, followed by a second day of individual matchups between offensive and defensive lines, as well as receivers and defenders.
Javon Hargrave, Jauan Jennings and Logan Thomas all had veteran rest days while the rest of the team practiced during a nearly 90-minute session in the sun.
Here are five takeaways from Day 7 of 49ers training camp:
Brock recovers
Brock Purdy bounced back from a four-interception day on Tuesday and a three-interception day on Monday with a free rotation practice. While it wasn’t a perfect performance, there were some memorable pieces.
The third-year quarterback connected with Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle for touchdowns during red zone drills. Purdy also spread the ball around during 11-on-11 drills, connecting with Kyle Juszczyk, Chris Conley, Deebo Samuel and Ronnie Bell.
The second-team All-Pro receiver was seen talking to John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan at midfield at the start of practice and the three appeared to be smiling and talking.
Later, Aiyuk found a golf cart to sit near the weight room to watch practice where Deebo Samuel visited to chat. The two receivers talked for several minutes while smiling and laughing.
The receiver has been visible throughout camp and although he hasn’t officially spoken to local media since last season’s locker room clean-out day, Aiyuk greeted everyone as usual.
Rickey Pearsall participates in full training
The first-round pick was on the field with the first and second teams during 11-on-11 practices on Wednesday. Purdy failed to hit Pearsall on his first two attempts, with the first pass falling just behind the rookie receiver and the second deflected by George Odum.
Perhaps the rookie’s most impressive catch was the one he almost didn’t make. Pearsall ran to the right side of the field, covered closely by linebacker Dee Winters, who initially appeared to cut off Brandon Allen’s pass.
The ball bounced off Pearsall’s hands, but the receiver’s second effort to pull it away was successful as he managed to get both feet on the ground before falling out of bounds.
The Florida product also caught a pass from Purdy for a touchdown during red zone drills while being covered by Ji’Ayir Brown.
Ronnie Bell appears and shows himself
The second-year wide receiver had a quiet rookie year, active for 17 games but mostly seen on special teams. Bell caught six of his 13 targets, three of which were touchdowns.
On Wednesday, the Michigan product was on the field with all three quarterbacks and caught everything in his path, including a touchdown pass from Brandon Allen during red zone drills.
Nick Bosa looking like his usual self
The All-Pro pass rusher has been working on his spin moves during individual drills and tested them again during individual drills. While it doesn’t seem like Bosa has perfected it yet, it does seem like it’s something the star forward wants to add to his arsenal.
With Trent Williams is still resisting, the individual meetings don’t feel as intense as a spectator, with Bosa appearing to use the time as a workshop of sorts, but everything changes during team training. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has been seen getting into the backfield regularly and harassing defenders, perhaps giving a preview of what’s to come when the season begins.
The club will take Thursday off before returning on Friday for another three-day training block.
