Recap of 49ers camp on July 28: Ricky Pearsall shines with a TD from Brock Purdy, but a scary injury to Tarron Jackson casts a shadow over practice.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The unmistakable sound of pads cracking returned to Santa Clara on Monday, as the 49ers held their first full-contact practice of training camp. The energy was palpable, fueled by the return of QB Brock Purdy and an electric, albeit limited, debut for WR Ricky Pearsall. But the optimism was pierced by a sobering moment, as defensive end Tarron Jackson was carted off the field in an ambulance, a stark reminder of the brutal realities of the game.
Three catches and a red-zone touchdown on his first day back. Ricky Pearsall didn't waste any time making his presence felt.
After missing Friday's session for personal reasons, Brock Purdy was back under center and looked sharp. His most encouraging connection was with second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was activated from the PUP list just before practice. Working in limited reps to ease back from a hamstring issue, Pearsall made an immediate impact, hauling in three catches, including a touchdown from Purdy in red-zone drills. The 49ers are clearly looking for playmakers to step up after trading Deebo Samuel, and Pearsall's instant chemistry with Purdy is the best news the offense could have hoped for. He also took reps as a punt returner, signaling his potential for a versatile role.
The day took a terrifying turn when defensive end Tarron Jackson went down with an injury that required him to be stabilized and transported from the field in an ambulance. Players from both sides of the ball gathered around as medical staff attended to him, and the team has yet to release an official update on his condition. The incident overshadowed other injury news, including the hamstring issue that has sidelined fellow receiver Jacob Cowing. To fill the void, the Niners signed veteran wideout Quintez Cephus, releasing running back Israel Abanikanda in a corresponding move.
With major offseason departures, roster spots are wide open, and the competition is fierce. Undrafted rookie cornerback Jakob Robinson is making a serious case for the 53-man roster. He made the play of the day for the defense, breaking up a pass from Purdy intended for the sure-handed Pearsall in the red zone. With injuries impacting the secondary, players like Tre Brown and Dallis Flowers are getting more opportunities. The offensive line also saw some shuffling, with Spencer Burford taking first-team reps at left tackle while Trent Williams had a scheduled rest day.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan is taking no chances with his superstars. Both running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams are on personalized 'pitch counts' to limit their reps and preserve their health for the long 17-game season. It's a clear strategic shift for a team looking to bounce back from a 6-11 record and make a serious playoff run. Adding a touch of championship wisdom to the proceedings was legendary coach Mike Shanahan, who watched practice with his son Kyle and grandson, a visual reminder of the deep football legacy fueling this team's ambitions.
Today was a microcosm of an entire NFL season: flashes of brilliance, the harsh reality of injuries, and the relentless churn of the roster. All eyes will be on the team for an update on Tarron Jackson's condition. In the meantime, the battles continue, and with so many roster spots genuinely up for grabs, the next few weeks promise to be some of the most compelling of the Kyle Shanahan era. The road back to the playoffs is being paved right now, one padded practice at a time.
