Eric Branch

Before Alex Smith lost his identity and starting jobs, before he nearly lost his leg and his life, before he could identify with an old poem about the benefits of hardship, he encountered his first real adversity: He became the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

#49ers QB Brock Purdy only had one pass hit the ground in the first practice of training camp. He completed 10 of 13 passes with two INTs (Picks: Jason Pinnock, Dee Winters)

#49ers practice report: * Renardo Green’s injury a reminder of CB depth concerns * More-assertive Mac Jones takes first-string snaps with Brock Purdy away * Kicker update: "I think they could have kicked a little better today.” sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

#49ers CB Renardo Green had a strong practice (3 PBUs) before he was forced to exit late in the session with an apparent hamstring injury.

Nothing alarming. Sounds like there’s a good chance Purdy will be back for the #49ers next practice Sunday.

Brock Purdy is not practicing today due to personal reasons. #49ers

Trent Williams has very expensive toys, partly because the All-Pro left tackle is also a businessman who can explain the Section 179 Deduction along with Xs and Os. sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a… #49ers

After one-year stints with Steve Wilks and Nick Sorensen -- coaches he declined to fully endorse -- Nick Bosa now appreciates what the #49ers have in Robert Saleh. “His commanding presence in defensive meetings is what we needed.” sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

After Wilks and Sorensen, Robert Saleh’s "commanding presence" is what #49ers needed, Nick Bosa says sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

A perk of playing with Trent Williams? Rides in his Gulfstream jet sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a… #49ers

#49ers practice report: Trent Williams' first live look across from Mykel Williams was jarring. The two kicked it in Cabo for a bit during the summer break. But the No. 11 overall pick did not hold back Thursday. Respect your elders, they say. "It sucks having to base block…

#49ers practice report: * “Their first legitimate summer kicker competition in more than 20 years (remember Jose Cortez vs. Jeff Chandler?) kicks off * One small step for Dee Winters? * New plan for "psycho" McCaffrey * Hall of Fame LB visits sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

#49ers notes: * After on-fire spring, Jacob Cowing off to a frustrating start this summer. * Hold-in? Jauan Jennings all-in amid contract issue * "You see NFL bodies out there that look impressive." * All TEs made it to Nashville, eventually sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

#49ers’ practice report: * Kicker competition kicks off with prominent onlookers * One small step for Dee Winters? * New plan for "psycho" McCaffrey * First-string units * Hall of Fame LB visits sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

. @_noahfurtado: Rookies helped #49ers get to Super Bowl six years ago. Can they do it again? sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

#49ers notes: * Ascending WR Jacob Cowing injured minutes into first practice * Hold-in? Jauan Jennings all-in amid contract issue * Big-time rookies * Party time at Tight End U. sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…

Kyle Shanahan said WR Jacob Cowing pulled a hamstring during individual drills today. #49ers

25 predictions for the #49ers 2025 season: 2. George Kittle will say Christian McCaffrey is “really good at football.” 9. Jauan Jennings will sign a 3-year, $47.5 million deal Aug. 2. 16. Undrafted rookie RB Corey Kiner will make the 53-man roster. sfchronicle.com/sports/49ers/a…