The 49ers players went to great length to orchestrate workouts over the past few weeks, so they can get in sync, but it hasn’t gone well for them.
San Francisco’s veterans set up a few organized practices in both San Jose and Nashville, with one of them not turning out well.
In fact, the latter was dubbed the “Nightmare in Nashville,” as one player tested positive for the coronavirus, wide receiver Deebo Samuel broke his foot and Richie James Jr. broke one in his wrist.
But that’s what can happen when players attempt to ramp up and practice on their own, without organized team activities being led by coaches and trainers. However, tight end George Kittle put a positive spin on it, as at least the team was able to get some practice in, whereas other teams have not.
“Really, everyone looked good,” Kittle said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “It was just fun to see. You could tell guys have been working. That’s the effort you want to see. My last two OTAs, guys have come back and everyone might be a little stiff because maybe they weren’t training the absolute hardest because there’s phase one and phase two of OTAs for you to get fully back in shape. But when everyone showed up, everyone looked good. Everyone was moving fast, catching the ball, communicating well.
“So, I think it was a good start, but we have a long way to go, and I think the foundation we have put in and that everyone has put in this offseason will definitely give us a step ahead on some teams.”
That’s one way to look at it, but the injuries are going to hurt the team in the first half of the season for sure. Samuel will be tough to replace, as the team’s receiving corps is thin as is.