In Santa Clara, California, the San Francisco 49ers have decided to play several of their starters, including quarterback Brock Purdy, in an upcoming exhibition game against the New Orleans Saints. This comes after the team had to cancel joint practices due to a series of injuries.
Coach Kyle Shanahan typically utilizes joint practices to give his starters significant practice time, sometimes opting to rest them during the game week. However, he has chosen to field many of his top players this Sunday to allow them to face a different team.
Purdy expressed excitement for the opportunity to face new challenges on Sunday, mentioning the benefits of running the offense against players who are not familiar with it. Some starters will be sidelined due to injuries, contract disputes, or precautionary measures to avoid potential injuries.
The 49ers faced another setback this week as left guard Aaron Banks fractured his pinky. Although Banks underwent surgery, the team is hopeful for his return for the season opener against the New York Jets on September 9.
Updates on the statuses of key players like Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams remain uncertain. Aiyuk, dealing with contract negotiation issues, has been limited in practice. Shanahan clarified that Aiyuk has been sidelined due to an injury, countering claims of a hold-in situation.
Regarding contract negotiations, Shanahan emphasized the complexity of managing a competitive roster over the years, acknowledging that not all players can be on the field at all times. While he voiced optimism about reaching a deal with Williams, uncertainties loom over how Aiyuk’s situation will unfold.
In other news, safety Talanoa Hufanga has been cleared to progress in his recovery from a torn ACL and is set to begin individual drills next week, with the potential to return to full practice the following week.