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49ers Camp Day 3: The 5 Plays That Define the 2026 Season
49ers Training Camp Day 3: New Schedule, New Faces, and Big Plays
The Big Picture: A Smarter Practice Schedule
The San Francisco 49ers hit the practice field on Wednesday with a brand-new schedule. Think of it like switching from three long school days in a row to a "light day, hard day" rhythm.
Important Point: The team studied how other NFL teams run training camp and decided to stop practicing three days straight. Now, veterans don’t have to sit out every third practice just to rest their bodies. Everyone practices every day, but the workload is smarter.
Coach Klay Kubiak (Offensive Coordinator) explained it simply:
"When we did three days in a row, a lot of veterans missed that third day. We thought it was a smart adjustment… Everybody gets to practice every day."
Roster Moves: Fresh Legs on the Defensive Line
Just before practice, the 49ers made two signings and two subtractions:
Signed (One-Year Deals)
- Quinton Bell – Defensive Lineman
- K.J. Henry – Defensive Lineman
Waived/Injured
- William Bradley-King – Defensive Lineman
- Andrew Farmer II – Defensive Lineman
Why this matters: The new signings add depth (backup options) at a position where the team is trying new defensive looks, like a five-man front (five big guys up front instead of the usual four).
Practice Notes: Who Stood Out?
1. Quarterbacks: The Competition Is Real
| Quarterback | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Brock Purdy (Starter) | Sharp all day. Connected with lots of receivers: De’Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins, Will Pauling. Best play: A deep dart to Robinson over two defenders. |
| Mac Jones (Backup) | Very productive. Completed passes to all the same targets plus running backs Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sincere McCormick. Escaped pressure multiple times. |
| Kurtis Rourke & Adrian Martinez (3rd String) | Split reps. Both had nice moments. Martinez hit Stribling on a pretty gain. |
ELI5: Imagine four kids taking turns throwing at recess. The first two (Purdy & Jones) are hitting their friends in the hands every time. The next two (Rourke & Martinez) are getting better each day.
2. Running Backs: Speed & Power
- Christian McCaffrey (the superstar) got plenty of work.
- Young backs Kaelon Black, Sincere McCormick, Patrick Taylor Jr. all rotated in.
- Black keeps showing explosive speed and quick decisions.
- Veteran lineman Colton McKivitz loved what he saw:
"Fast and running hard… When young guys hit the hole fast with no hesitation, it makes our job a lot easier."
3. Wide Receivers: Battle for Spots Heats Up
- Demarcus Robinson – Another great day. Caught everything from Purdy and Jones.
- De’Zhaun Stribling – Strong start to camp continues. Multiple catches.
- Jordan Watkins – Involved all practice. Caught passes from three different QBs (Jones, Rourke, Purdy).
Think of it like a tryout: Every catch is a "vote" for a roster spot.
4. Defense: New Looks & Big Plays
Defensive Line & Scheme
- Coach Raheem Morris (Defensive Coordinator) mixed in a five-man front (5 big guys at the line of scrimmage).
- Bell & Henry arrivals perfect timing – they give the team more bodies to run this new look.
Linebackers: Veterans Leading the Way
- 8 linebackers on roster – a very experienced group.
- Garret Wallow – Pass breakup! First camp with 49ers (claimed off waivers Dec 2024, re-signed March 2025). Reunited with buddy Dre Greenlaw from Denver days.
- Dre Greenlaw – Fumble recovery on the very first 11-on-11 play! Later added a tackle for loss (stopping the runner behind the line).
Cornerbacks: The "Dog" Mentality
- Renardo Green vs. Mike Evans = Battle of the Day!
- Green stayed step-for-step with the big veteran Evans on a deep ball.
- Leaped high and broke up the pass!
- Green after practice: "Two dogs sharpen each other’s swords."
- Upton Stout – Near interception! Jumped a crossing route, settled for a pass breakup.
What’s Next?
| Day | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Player Off Day (Rest & Recovery) |
| Friday | Return to Practice – First Padded Practice of Camp! |
Why padded practice matters: This is when football gets real. Players wear full gear (helmets, shoulder pads, thigh/knee pads). Hitting is allowed. Coaches see who can play physical when it counts.
Summary: Day 3 in a Nutshell
- Smarter Schedule – No more 3-day grinds. Vets stay fresh, everyone practices daily.
- DL Depth Added – Bell & Henry signed; Bradley-King & Farmer waived/injured.
- QB Competition Sharp – Purdy & Jones dealing; young QBs developing.
- RB Room Deep – McCaffrey + speedy young backs = offensive line’s dream.
- WR Battle Intense – Robinson, Stribling, Watkins making cases.
- Defense Experimenting – 5-man front, new DL help, veterans making plays.
- Green vs. Evans – Cornerback vs. Receiver highlight reel material.
- Friday = Pads On – First real contact practice of camp.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why did the 49ers change the practice schedule?
A: The old way (three hard days in a row) forced veterans to sit out Day 3 just to recover. The new "jog-through then practice" rhythm keeps everyone on the field every day while managing workload smarter.
What does "waived/injured" mean?
A: It means the player is hurt and the team is letting them go. If no other team claims them, they revert to the 49ers’ Injured Reserve (IR) list. They stay with the team but can’t play until healed (and usually not that season).
Who is Garret Wallow and why does he matter?
A: A linebacker the 49ers picked up off waivers from Denver in Dec 2024. He knows Dre Greenlaw from their time together in Denver. He had a nice pass breakup Wednesday – showing he can cover, not just tackle.
What is a "five-man front" on defense?
A: Usually, defenses line up with four big guys (defensive linemen) at the line of scrimmage. A five-man front adds a fifth – often a linebacker putting his hand in the dirt. It clogs running lanes and confuses the offense’s blocking rules.
Why is the first padded practice such a big deal?
A: In shorts and helmets (no pads), you can’t really hit. Pads on = real football. Coaches finally see: Who blocks? Who tackles? Who shies away? It separates "practice players" from "game players."
Want more 49ers camp coverage? Check back after Friday’s padded practice for the next update!
