Rookies Continue To Ball Out: 3 Takeaways From Day 6 of 49ers Training Camp

San Francisco 49ers training camp is back for the second week as the Red & Gold hit the practice field Tuesday morning.

The Bay Area team practiced in front of another packed crowd of faithful, sporting pads once again as the team ramps up for the upcoming season. Wednesday’s practice was a spicy one, with Brandon Aiyuk and Fred Warner getting into multiple times, causing a scrum between the offense and defense.

Capping off the day, Deebo Samuel held his first media availability of training camp, looking to provide clarity on the saga that ended with him signing a three-year extension to stay in the Bay Sunday.

A few words from his presser, plus a Jimmy Garoppolo sighting as we take a look at a few takeaways from the second day of pads at 49ers practice.

Jimmy G Sighting

Rarer than a Big Foot/Unicorn hybrid(not really), Jimmy G graced the 49ers fanbase with his presence before the start of practice Tuesday morning.

Going through his throwing program as he rehabs from shoulder surgery in March, Garoppolo started with conditioning work off to the side, showing his readiness if/when he is on another franchise.

#49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo out early getting some work in before practice gets going pic.twitter.com/StrxnPNwWP

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) August 2, 2022

Garoppolo then started his throwing routine, first tossing balls with team staffers before ramping up to more game-scenario throwing. Reports indicated that his throws looked crisp and concise, a vital step to his trade marketer one the next few weeks.

Jimmy Garoppolo out on a side field throwing. He started with 20 yards and is now throwing 50-yarders

— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) August 2, 2022

I just watched Jimmy Garoppolo throw. No video allowed, but throws looked good and crisp

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 2, 2022

The veteran signal-caller would have been traded if not for his shoulder surgery, halting all discussions until his throwing mechanics could be demonstrated. Tuesday’s session can only be seen as a positive for his trade prospects as general manager John Lynch looks to find a suitable solution for both parties.

“We’ll stay patient through this one and come to a great conclusion for everybody involved,” Lynch said Tuesday. “He’s cleared to be at practice. We made the decision it’s in his best interest to be off to the side. No restrictions. I’m watching him throw right now, looks pretty good.”

As an ever-looming trade draws closer and closer, the New York Giants have emerged the favorites to land the 30-year-old gunslinger’s services.

Deebo Speaks To The Media For The First Time

Also a sight for sore eyes: Deebo Samuel.

Making his first appearance for the media since signing his three-year extension, Samuel didn’t refute speculation over this trade request in April, instead acknowledging his excitement at getting at deal down with the Red & Gold.

Deebo Samuel discusses his new three year extension with the 49ers and putting the rocky off-season behind him. Says it was just a business. pic.twitter.com/PKJhdAD0KW

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) August 2, 2022

“At the end of the day this is a business,” Samuel stated after Tuesday’s practice. “What changed was communication, the more we communicated, the more we started to figure things out. We came to a decision, I’m here, so I’m happy to be here and that’s just what it is.”

That communication started up at mandatory minicamp as Lynch knew Samuel’s appearance was “huge” for contract negotiations, something Samuel agreed with Tuesday.

“I was coming regardless, so I think that was the first step of figuring everything out,” Samuel said.

One of the reported gripes from Deebo’s camp was an unwillingness to play running back, a role he thrived in during the 2021 season. But when asked about it, the All-Pro wideout emphatically denied said rumors.

Deebo Samuel laughs off idea that he didn’t want to be used as a wide back:

“That’s false.” pic.twitter.com/oNOKDGmEIM

— Jake Hutchinson (@hutchdiesel) August 2, 2022

Samuel’s contract reinforces that idea with the offensive weapon being paid $650,000 per year for each year he has 380 or more rushing yards. He’ll earn an additional $150,000 if he scores three rushing TDs in any one season.

Amidst all the speculation, Samuel noted he had a support system, including left tackle Trent Williams and quarterback Trey Lance, checking in on him along the way.

“He’s kinda like my big brother. He just told me to stay level-headed and everything is going to work out. There’s a time where I spent like a week with Trent just chilling, hanging around, just to keep my mind off a lot of things so that kinda helped me a lot,” Samuel said.

Danny Gray’s Best Day

The 49ers have had a fair share of rookies and second-year prospects show-out at camp early on but the breakout of Tuesday’s practice goes to rookie wideout Danny Gray.

Easily having his best practice over the first seven days of camp, Gray started off the day leading the 49ers rookie hype machine to get the faithful crowd excited, griddying alongside fellow rookies Taysir Mack and Tay Martin.

Today’s 49ers rookie hype machine: WRs Danny Gray, Taysir Mack and Tay Martin pic.twitter.com/xINWEQKoay

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 2, 2022

The first-year receiver out of SMU carried the momentum from there, snagging a few deep balls from backup QB Nate Sudfeld that had the crowd cheering. His best grab came on a 40-yard shot from Sudfeld that Gray had to fight with cornerback Ambry Thomas for.

Gray won the battle.

Danny Gray is having his best practice of training camp. He’s caught two passes from Nate Sudfeld — including a deep shot down the left sideline — that prompted Sudfeld to seek him out afterward for congratulations

— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) August 2, 2022

The speedy wideout also showed his chops on special team, getting the bus of reps as the return man at practice Tuesday.

It’s important to note that standout CB Charvarius Ward was held out of practice for maintenance-related reasons, as Gray’s success came at the expense of the struggling Thomas for the majority of the day.

Regardless, the SMU product gives the 49ers a true burner they haven’t had since Marquise Goodwin, able to open up the space underneath for Samuel, Kittle and Aiyuk to operate in.

It’ll be interesting to see who wins the third receiver role between Gray and Jaquan Jennings, but don’t be surprised to see the rookie on your tv screen come September.

For all things 49ers and NFL, stay locked in here on Sactown Sports.

Follow @AmilianoFragoso

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