The 49ers started the morning practice with another set of nutcracker drills. Head coach Mike Singletary debuted the drills on the first day of training camp. When I watched it on Saturday, it was very interesting to see two players of the relative size trying to push each other down. It doesn't look like much, but the team seems to enjoy it. And if this was something similar to what Mike Ditka ran for the 1985 Bears, I have not problem having Singletary use it for the 49ers.
According to what was reported, G David Baas had a small injury and walked off the field gingerly. The nutcracker drill does take a toll on some. Also, WR Isaac Bruce and CB Dre Bly were also participants (against each other) in the drill. Bruce did quite well from what was observed.
From what was reported by Matt Barrows and Matt Maiocco via their Twitters, here are some injuries that occurred.
- As already mentioned Baas walked off the field gingerly after the nutcracker drill. Reports say it's a foot strain. Tony Wragge took his spot.
- RB Michael Robinson suffered a groin strain.
- FB Moran Norris tweaked his hamstring a little.
- DE Kentwan Balmer hobbled off the field after a drill. Balmer says that he's all right, but the team is reporting that it is a left knee sprain. DE Demetric Evans filled in for him.
- LB Jay Moore is out after cutting his finger yesterday.
- CB Tarell Brown is still nursing a toe injury.
- LB Patrick Willis is still out with an ankle strain.
- LB Parys Haralson is still out with a hip injury.
DE Justin Smith was given the practice off. Veterans like Smith have earned these kinds of rests, but I am still very glad that this opens up the opportunities for other defensive ends to step up. We've seen Balmer take advantage of these opportunities. Evans was also in today filling in for Balmer.
Yesterday, LB Jay Moore took advantage of an opened up spot due to injuries and was very impressive.
Former 49ers receiver RC Owens and lineman Harris Barton were at training camp today. I always like it when former players still show up to camp to see their old team. And they could give some advice to the current players as well.
Both Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are getting their opportunities with the first team in the 11-on-11 drills these past couple days. Yesterday, the team worked a lot on their short passes. But today, the highlight of practice came from Smith's 45-yard strike to Isaac Bruce.
There isn't much out there right now for the team. At least in terms of offense, it looks very good and is clearly ahead of last year's development at this time. The most important thing for the team is that they continue to gel as a team and hope that all these injuries that have occurred will heal up quickly.
Let's get healthy Niners.
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