The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. The San Francisco 49ers camp is taking place in Santa Clara, California, and 49ers reporter Nick Wagoner has the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and, of course, the quarterback room.
What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at 49ers camp. We will update this file often. What does Mike Evans look like as a top receiver on the 49ers? Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?
Dive into all the updates and be sure to check back for more information until the first full week of the preseason begins Aug. 13.
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Saturday, Aug. 1
While no definitive date has been set for coach Kyle Shanahan to return to full-time duty, he seems to be taking the necessary steps in that direction.
Before Saturday's practice, Shanahan addressed the team for the first time since his July 14 car accident, according to general manager John Lynch. Then, during practice, Shanahan emerged on the field before team drills and stayed through the end of the session. At one point late in practice, he even stood behind the offense, offering real-time feedback rather than standing next to Lynch in the deep middle of the field.
"He's doing better," Lynch said. "He got a nice welcome, and it was good to have him up there. We'll continue to do kind of like a phased approach. So that was one threshold. He wanted to get up there. He was cleared to do so. So we'll see where it goes from there."
More observations:
Some new additions to the injury report: rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling (hamstring tightness), DL Romello Height (elbow) and DL Cameron Sample (knee) did not participate. DL Keion White (adductor), DL Mikail Kamara (knee) and RB Kaelon Black (undisclosed) did not finish the practice after starting it. Kamara's ailment seemed the most serious as he was taken off on a cart.
WR Deebo Samuel took part in one-on-one drills but was limited to about 10 snaps in team drills. He made a trio of catches, including one over the middle for a big gain from QB Brock Purdy.
It was a rough day for the offense in general as it could never quite get on track. Purdy overthrew a handful of pass catchers as did Mac Jones. Nobody seemed to get in sync as it went on. Perhaps a sign of fatigue a week into training camp.
Friday, July 31
During the team meeting before Friday's first fully padded practice, assistant head coach Chris Foerster emphasized to the 49ers the importance of protecting one another. In that message, Foerster asked his team to be competitive but not fight.
"I did a great job with that one," Foerster said, laughing.
In fact, the Niners' first padded practice did end with a couple of skirmishes, the second of which devolved into a full-fledged fight. On the play, tight end Jake Tonges appeared to push off linebacker Fred Warner then catch a pass from QB Brock Purdy. Although there was a flag thrown on Tonges on the play, Warner ran over to Tonges and got in his face, seemingly taking exception at how Tonges got open. The two exchanged words and shoves before OT Colton McKivitz ran in to stand up for Tonges. That led to LB Dre Greenlaw coming in and McKivitz ending up on the ground as the rest of the team surrounded them. The fight broke up quickly.
Tensions were already bubbling from a play just before that when Greenlaw shoved RB Christian McCaffrey to the ground on the left sideline. McCaffrey stood up and shoved Greenlaw, who seemed to quickly realize who he had shoved and did not retaliate as it broke up quickly. Regardless, Foerster hopes it was just a product of the first day in pads and not a regular occurrence.
"Fights are a waste of time and energy," Foerster said. "Absolute waste of time and energy."
More observations:
WR Deebo Samuel was not yet at practice today. He's expected to get everything signed and squared away today and could be out there as soon as Saturday. All signs point toward him being back in his No. 19 with Jacob Cowing switching to No. 6.
Coach Kyle Shanahan was on the field before team drills, coming out around 10:45 and staying for the rest of the practice. It was his longest time spent on the field yet in a practice open to media.
The 49ers activated DT Alfred Collins (shoulder) from the PUP list Friday. He took part in his first practice of this camp, albeit with some limitations on team reps, it seemed.
A good day for DL Keion White in one-on-one pass rush drills. White had a few convincing victories and seems fully healed from the gunshot wound he suffered in his foot/ankle in February.
DE Nick Bosa isn't yet doing team drills or one-on-one, but he spent time with OT Trent Williams doing some work on the side during the one-on-one pass rush drills to start getting back up to speed.
Rookie WR De'Zhaun Stribling continues to put productive practices together. Mike Evans mentioned Stribling first when asked about other receivers performing in this camp. One thing that has stood out: Stribling makes plays no matter which offensive unit he's with or which defensive unit he's playing against.
Wednesday, July 29
Christian McCaffrey turned 30 years old on June 7, but early suggestions of his fall off don't appear to be coming to fruition in the early days of camp. Coming off the biggest workload of his career, McCaffrey has not only participated in all three open practices but looked like his usual, productive self in the process.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, McCaffrey said he's well aware that a running back with his wear and tear is supposed to have his best days behind him, but he's not spending any time worrying about hitting the 30-year-old milestone.
"I don't make a big deal out of the whole age thing," McCaffrey said. "That does nothing for me. I just think about continuing to grow, continuing to go out there and ball. It's funny, you turn 30 and people bring it up and then two days ago I was 29. So for me, I just keep focusing on getting better. That's all I've ever done. That's all I'll ever do. And again, I feel so fortunate to play this game. I want to play as long as I can. I have no intention of slowing down."
More observations:
Rookie edge rusher Romello Height was back at practice after cramping issues on Monday. He does have a new jersey number, switching from 94 to 58.
With Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Christian Kirk (calf) not practicing, there's plenty of opportunity for the other wideouts right now. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling seems to be making the most of it, coming up with more catches for sizable gains on Wednesday.
S Malik Mustapha (hamstring) and RB Jordan James (rib fracture) were added to the injury list Wednesday. Tough news for both with competition forming at their spots. Marques Sigle and rookie Kaelon Black appear to be the early beneficiaries of those injuries in terms of extra reps.
The Niners will be off on Thursday but back on Friday. That is expected to be their first day in full pads.
Monday, July 27
The addition of receiver Mike Evans was undoubtedly the team's biggest offseason move and much has been made of Evans' ability not only to contribute on the field but help the team's impressionable young wideouts. That has been evident in the first couple of days of camp, but a hidden benefit might also already be showing itself.
Evans, who beat cornerback Deommodore Lenoir on a deep ball down the left sideline Sunday, has also been unafraid to share tips with the Niners' defensive backs. Lenoir, who doesn't hand out praise to receivers easily, said Evans has already been an excellent resource for him and the other cornerbacks.
"We actually talk a lot more than I thought because he's a receiver," Lenoir said. "But he's a great guy. ... That's my guy. We've been working. He's been teaching me a lot."
More observations from the day:
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan again watched practice from afar alongside general manager John Lynch. He came out during team drills and stayed through the end of Monday's session.
Rookie pass rusher Romello Height left practice late in the session on a cart. But the Niners announced soon after Height was just dealing with cramps.
Running back Jordan James, who has looked good early in camp, was active in the first few team periods Monday but then wasn't involved the rest of the way. It's unclear if there was an injury issue there but something to monitor. Rookie Kaelon Black got extended work.
The 49ers already have four players dealing with injuries: OT Vederian Lowe (high right ankle sprain), DT Gracen Halton (knee bone bruise), WR Christian Kirk (calf) and DL Andrew Farmer II (back). Lowe and Halton are expected to miss some time as they recover.
Was a tougher day for the offense as the defense came up with a handful of plays. Safety Ji'Ayir Brown intercepted QB Brock Purdy, and CB Renardo Green had a nice pass breakup against WR Jacob Cowing.
Sunday, July 26
Defensive end Nick Bosa is easing his way back into the mix after suffering a torn ACL in Week 3 of last season, but he is not on the PUP list, and he did individual drills Sunday.
In the spring, Bosa suggested he would be back at the start of training camp, though it was unclear to what degree he would participate. Though he didn't do anything in team drills Sunday, the Niners will likely continue to phase him back in as camp goes on with an eye toward having him at full speed for Week 1. Left tackle Trent Williams was impressed by what he saw Sunday.
"I can't tell he had an injury and came back from anything," Williams said. "Most people with an injury that catastrophic, you can see it with something like with atrophy in the leg. Bosa looks better than he did before he got hurt."
A healthy Bosa would go a long way toward fixing a pass rush that had the NFL's fewest sacks in 2025.
More observations from the day:
Defensive back Nate Hobbs was the only player on the active roster not participating at the beginning of practice. Hobbs dealt with knee issues last season.
Offensive tackle Vederian Lowe and wide receiver Christian Kirk were hobbled a bit during the session.
It was a strong day for QB Brock Purdy, who went 10-of-12 in team drills with the highlight coming on a deep ball down the left sideline to WR Mike Evans for a big gain against CB Deommodore Lenoir.
Conversely, we saw a couple of interceptions for backup QB Mac Jones, including one thrown right to S Marques Sigle.
LB Nick Martin appears to be getting the first crack at the Sam linebacker spot, though the Niners have multiple options to work through there.
The same is true of Connor Colby at left guard. He took all the reps with the starters Sunday, though Chris Foerster said Robert Jones will also compete there.