De’Zhaun Stribling, the 49ers’ rookie wideout everyone’s been buzzing about, is officially back on the training camp field, even if he’s not quite 100 percent yet. After a hamstring injury sidelined him, seeing number 15 out there at Santa Clara on Thursday during the team’s eighth practice of camp? That’s a huge sigh of relief for the Faithful. Stribling’s already been getting serious strong reviews from his teammates for what he showed early in camp while other receivers were banged up. And when the starting QB, Mac Jones, is talking about you like this, you know it’s for real.
Mac Jones Is Hyped About Stribling’s “Second Gear”
Look, when a quarterback starts dropping nicknames and breaking down your game like Mac Jones did for Stribling, you pay attention. Jones, who even threw with Stribling in the offseason down in Nashville, straight up called him “the Flying Hawaiian” because the dude is just that fast. But here’s the real kicker: Jones says Stribling isn’t just quick, he’s strong too, a combo you don’t always see. The most impressive part? This rookie has a “second gear” when the ball is in the air. Seriously, Jones explained that most guys slow down when their eyes go up, but Stribling doesn’t. He has that “ball speed” like some of the league’s best, name-dropping Jordan Watkins and Mike Evans as guys with that same insane trait. That kind of praise from your QB, especially after an injury return, shows just how high the ceiling is for this kid.
Injuries Mount as LG Battle Heats Up
It wasn’t all good news though, as the 49ers’ injury list keeps getting longer, hitting a whopping 16 players out. Offensive lineman Nick Zakelj added to that tally, sitting out Thursday’s practice with an elbow injury he picked up the day before. On the brighter side, along with Stribling, Dre Greenlaw, Osa Odighizuwa, and Sam Okuayinonu all returned to practice. Meanwhile, the battle for that starting left guard spot is still raging. Free agent pickup Robert Jones got another day running with the first-team offense, which is big. Connor Colby, who had been getting a ton of first-team reps there, was instead rotating with the backups on both the left and right sides. That’s a clear shift and shows how tight that competition really is.
Purdy’s “Layer King” Performance
And let’s not forget the guy under center, Brock Purdy. The offense looked strong on Thursday, and Purdy, in particular, was absolutely on fire. Even defensive coordinator Raheem Morris couldn’t help but gush about his quarterback’s performance. Morris nicknamed Purdy the “Layer King” because of his incredible ability to layer throws and the sheer intensity he brings. That kind of praise from your DC, someone who sees all the moving parts, speaks volumes about Purdy’s game right now. For the 49ers, with training camp pushing ahead after their Dwight Clark celebration, these developing stories are crucial. Keeping guys healthy, solidifying those offensive line spots, and seeing young talent like Stribling emerge with rave reviews, that’s how teams build momentum for the season ahead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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