SANTA CLARA – The aftermath of the Super Bowl for the 49ers, an emotionally draining offseason filled with contract issues and a horrific life-threatening incident gave way to regular-season practice Tuesday morning.
After a four-day break, the players reconvened for a one-hour session, and it was a who’s who of stars in attendance.
Here is a status report on the key people of interest:
Running back Christian McCaffrey: His wrists were bandaged, his white cleats looked fresh and he gave a pre-practice handshake as he dressed for his first workout since suffering a calf strain on Aug. 4. McCaffrey had been working out on the side in recent weeks to defend his NFL rushing title. Despite suffering a calf strain in the second-to-last game of last year’s regular season at Washington, he did not seem to be affected during the playoffs.
Left Tackle Trent Williams: Williams donned his No. 71 jersey again for his 15th NFL season, showed up for practice, tied his cleats with the help of an equipment cart and then exchanged bear hugs with running backs coach Bobby Turner and strength coach Dustin Perry. His private jet arrived from Houston at 3:34 a.m. while his agent, Vincent Taylor, finalized the contract details that will end his strike that has cost him more than $4 million in fines.
Wide Receiver Brandon Aiyuk: A particularly dynamic move? That’s what it looked like in the 5-minute media window as he zigzagged through his teammates in the stretch line. The agreement on a standard contract extension (four years, $120 million) last Thursday brought the 49ers’ best receiver back to the team since 2023.
Wide Receiver Ricky Pearsall: Pearsall is only at the 49ers facility three days after he was shot in the chest during an attempted robbery in Union Square, and coach Kyle Shanahan briefly chatted with him outside the weight room as practice began. The rookie is not practicing and has been suspended for at least the first four games. He was also in the 49ers weight room on Monday talking with team members about the incident, radio analyst Tim Ryan said on KNBR 680-AM. Pearsall was released from San Francisco General Hospital a day after the incident, and the 49ers placed him on the reserve/non-football injured list on Monday.
Wide Receiver Jauan Jennings: He has returned to training after his preseason and training time were cut short two weeks ago due to an oblique injury.
Running back Isaac Guerendo: The rookie speedster continues to work part-time. He was held out of practice after suffering a groin strain in his preseason debut, in which he completed a 93-yard kick return. A hamstring injury in the first practice of camp kept him out of practice for four weeks.
Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos: He has not been seen at practice since injuring his right knee in the last preseason game on August 23, putting his regular-season debut for the 49ers in question.
Cornerback Isaac Yiadom: He may be the 49ers’ third cornerback practicing, a positive sign after his return last week from an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly two weeks.
Left Guard Aaron Banks: He is recovering from surgery on the little finger of his left hand three weeks ago and has been unable to train since.
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NEW NUMBERS
0: Cornerback Renardo Green
6: Security Malik Mustapha
19: Wide receiver Jacob Cowing
31: Running back Isaac Guerendo
81: Wide receiver Trent Taylor (practice squad)
84: Wide receiver Terrace Marshall (practice squad)
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NOTES
On the 49ers roster, rookie Jacob Cowing is listed as the 49ers’ punt returner with Ronnie Bell as his backup. The 49ers have Jordan Mason, Isaac Guerendo and Bell on the roster as kick returners.
Linebacker DaShaun White was signed to the practice squad; wide receiver Tay Martin was released.
Originally published: