49ers Unleash Blackouts, Bench CMC, Find New Star in Stribling
49ers and Chargers Practice Together: Rookies Shine, Veterans Rest, and No Fights!
ELI5 Note: A "joint practice" is when two NFL teams practice together instead of against their own teammates. It’s like a big scrimmage before the real games start.
What Happened at Practice?
On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the San Francisco 49ers traveled to El Segundo, California, to practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a 90-minute session full of big plays, returning players, and a few bumps and bruises. Here’s the kid-friendly breakdown.
Rookie Running Back Kaelon Black Is Back!
Kaelon Black (nickname: KB) is a rookie running back. He missed the last 2½ weeks with an adductor injury (that’s a fancy word for a groin muscle pull).
But Tuesday? He was everywhere.
- Caught a pass from quarterback Brock Purdy on the very first snap.
- Raced down the left sideline on his first carry.
- Looked fast, explosive, and healthy.
Important Point:
Brock Purdy said: “You can tell there’s a different level of intensity when he touches the ball… From the jump, KB came out running pretty hard.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan agreed: “He looked healthy and had some juice today.”
What’s Next for Black?
- He wears jersey No. 26.
- He’s expected to make his preseason debut Thursday night against the Chargers at SoFi Stadium.
- If he plays well, he could earn a spot on the final roster as a backup or special teams ace.
Christian McCaffrey: Just a Little Tightness
The 49ers’ superstar running back, Christian McCaffrey, didn’t practice. He’s been out a week with “undisclosed tightness.” (Translation: a sore muscle, but the team isn’t saying exactly where.)
But don’t panic.
Coach Shanahan said: “If it wasn’t Christian, and we were in a game week, he would play today… It’s just some tightness.”
- Not a contract holdout. Shanahan made that clear.
- McCaffrey attended practice, watched, and took family photos afterward with his pregnant wife, daughter, parents, and brother Max (who coaches Chargers running backs!).
Important Point:
The regular season starts in three weeks in Australia. McCaffrey is on track to be ready.
Rookie Receiver De’Zhaun Stribling Scores Touchdowns
De’Zhaun Stribling (another rookie!) had a great day in the red zone (the area near the end zone where scoring gets tough).
- Caught two contested touchdown passes — one from Purdy, one from backup QB Mac Jones.
- Said afterward: “It was smooth. I enjoyed it.”
But Coach Shanahan keeps it real:
“He had a couple of rough ones, too. So I’ll hold my opinion until I really see the tape. But he’s competing every day and getting better.”
Fred Warner: The Fumble Expert
Fred Warner is the 49ers’ All-Pro linebacker. He’s famous for punching the ball out of opponents’ hands.
- He owns the franchise record: 17 forced fumbles (plus one in playoffs).
- Tuesday, he did it again.
Warner said: “That’s my emphasis every single play… Over the years I try to practice it so much it’s not a thought… It’s how can I be infectious to the team and have it on their minds.”
Translation: He wants everyone on defense to hunt for the ball.
Injury Updates: The Good, The Bad, and The “Being Careful”
Good News
| Player | Issue | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Bosa (star pass rusher) | Right knee surgery recovery | “A lot less irritation… going in the right direction.” |
| Mykel Williams (rookie DE) | ACL tear (from college) | Close to coming off PUP list (Physically Unable to Perform). Week 1 is a “long shot” but not ruled out. |
| Carver Willis (OL) | Concussion | Cleared! Got first-team reps at left guard. |
Being Careful
| Player | Issue | Coach’s Take |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Evans (WR) | Quad tightness | “Some tightness… being smart… nothing I’m worried about.” |
| George Kittle (TE) | Achilles | No timeline. Shanahan: “Sooner than later.” |
| Christian Kirk (WR) | Calf strain (Day 1 of camp) | Hasn’t practiced yet. Shanahan hopes for “better luck.” |
Bad News
- Chargers center Tyler Biadasz got carted off with a leg injury after a collision.
- Titus Leo (49ers DL) suffered a concussion and was waived (cut) Tuesday.
Concussions: A Tough Topic
Five 49ers have had concussions this camp:
- Offensive linemen: Dominick Puni, Brett Toth, Carver Willis
- Defensive linemen: C.J. West, Titus Leo (now waived)
Only Willis is back. The others are still in the concussion protocol (a step-by-step medical process before returning).
Coach Shanahan (who had his own concussion from a car crash in July) on Guardian Caps (the soft helmet covers):
“My favorite thing… quarterbacks don’t break their hands as much on the top of helmets… Regardless of what you’re wearing, if you get hit the right way, it’s not enough. I know it does help.”
No Fights This Time!
Last week, the 49ers practiced with the Tennessee Titans (coached by ex-49ers DC Robert Saleh). Fights broke out.
Tuesday vs. Chargers? Zero fights.
Shanahan joked: “Their head coach had more discipline than Tennessee’s. No, I’m just joking.”
Jim Harbaugh (Chargers coach) runs a tight ship. The 49ers matched that energy.
Coach Harbaugh Likes Brock Purdy
Before practice, Harbaugh said he wanted to meet Purdy. Didn’t happen Tuesday, but the admiration is real.
Harbaugh on Purdy: “How good he is. His timing, his decision-making, his accuracy… how cool he is, how cool he plays… Kind of the same way I think of Kyle [Shanahan]… I love his demeanor. I love the toughness of his teams.”
High praise from a Super Bowl-winning coach.
Defense Needs Work on Deep Passes
The 49ers’ secondary (defensive backs) got burned by long passes multiple times.
- Deommodore Lenoir gave up at least two deep completions.
- Ephesians Prysock (rookie) also gave up at least two.
This is a focus area for the next three weeks before Australia.
Summary
| Topic | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Kaelon Black | Healthy, explosive, debuting Thursday. |
| Christian McCaffrey | Minor tightness only. Would play if games started today. |
| De’Zhaun Stribling | Flashy red-zone TDs, but still inconsistent. |
| Fred Warner | Still the best at forcing fumbles; wants team to copy him. |
| Injuries | Bosa trending up. Kittle, Kirk, Evans day-to-day. 5 concussions total. |
| Fights | None! Harbaugh’s Chargers brought discipline. |
| Harbaugh + Purdy | Mutual respect society. |
| Secondary | Struggled vs. deep ball — must improve fast. |
FAQ
Q: What is a “joint practice”?
A: Two NFL teams practice together for a few days. It’s like a controlled scrimmage — more realistic than practicing against your own guys, but not a real game.
Q: Why didn’t Christian McCaffrey practice?
A: He has muscle tightness. Coach says it’s minor — he’d play if it were the regular season. No contract issues.
Q: Who is Kaelon Black?
A: A rookie running back (No. 26) who missed 2½ weeks with a groin injury. He looked great Tuesday and will play Thursday in the preseason game.
Q: What is the PUP list?
A: Physically Unable to Perform. Players on it can’t practice but don’t count against the roster limit. Mykel Williams (rookie DE) is close to coming off it.
Q: Why so many concussions?
A: Football is violent. The 49ers had 5 this camp. Guardian Caps help, but Coach Shanahan says nothing prevents all concussions. Players must clear a strict medical protocol before returning.
Final Thought:
The 49ers got good news (Black, Bosa, Warner), manageable news (McCaffrey, Evans, Kittle), and homework (fix the deep-pass defense). With three weeks until Australia, the roster is taking shape — and the rookies are making noise.