CAPTAIN SANTA CLARA: The San Francisco 49ers posted a video of Fred Warner being mic’d up on the practice field on social media last week. The All-Pro linebacker had a conversation with edge rusher Nick Bosa, another superstar.
Warner made a reference to Dominick Puni, the new right guard for the 49ers, saying, “Hey, you know who can move kind of good is the rookie, 77, Puni.” “He has good movement, sir. He was hanging out with me as they raced, bounced, or threw over in that direction. I had to knock him out with a punch. He has a nice build to him. He is mobile. Since he is still young, he will only develop stronger.
That rookie can move‼️
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 15, 2024
Full episode: https://t.co/OE08tnrN4A
Brick by Brick presented by @SAP pic.twitter.com/4Qj76AS1mI
Almost the entire training camp, the 24-year-old Puni—whom the 49ers selected in the third round out of Kansas—has practiced at right guard with the starting squad. Puni was first given the post due to injuries sustained by Jon Feliciano and Spencer Burford. Because of his consistent play, the rookie has been able to maintain his success, and it appears that he will start for the 49ers in their season opener on September 9 against the New York Jets.
Puni acknowledged that he had seen Warner’s commendation when he addressed the media on Tuesday for the first time in his NFL career from the Levi’s Stadium podium.
“That’s a crazy compliment from a heck of a player,” Puni said. “All of my friends and family saw it, too. They were sending it to me, (saying) ‘this is crazy, this is crazy.’ That’s something I’m going to look back on whenever I’m done with football. This guy’s going to be a Hall of Famer. The fact that he’s saying that about me is really cool.”
Warner’s assessment of Puni is in line with what the scouting report and early game footage have indicated about the youngster.
In the NFL Draft of 2024, the 49ers focused on offensive linemen who could shuttle the ball quickly. With their times in that test, Puni (4.40) and sixth-round pick Jarrett Kingston (4.47) placed third and fifth among O-line candidates at the NFL combine.
The 49ers have used their agility on the field in their first two preseason games. Only one QB pressure has been given up by Puni and Kingston over 44 and 61 pass-blocking repetitions, respectively. In the run game, where mobility ability is practically a need for a rookie player to see time in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system, Puni has also shown off a number of pull-blocking gems.
“I feel like I’m doing pretty good,” Puni said. “It’s a difficult offense to jump in and learn for the first time. There are still little details within every play that I need to get better at.”
Tuesday saw the veteran guard Ben Bartch’s return to practice after he missed some time due to knee discomfort. This could provide some more padding for the 49ers inside, but they are still thin at guard because of the injuries to guards Aaron Banks (broken pinkie) and Burford (broken hand), as well as Feliciano’s recent knee surgery.
Feliciano will probably begin the regular season on injured reserve, according to Shanahan. His return is anticipated by the 49ers by the middle of the season.
Puni is under increased strain, but he has managed it quite skillfully. Puni attributed his peaceful adjustment to life in the NFL to his time at Kansas, where head coach Lance Leipold’s staff cross-trained him as guard, center, and tackle. Puni is attempting to translate his two seasons as a Jayhawks tackle—during which he did not allow a single sack—to the interior offensive line.
Naturally, the 49ers stand to gain a great deal if Puni can strengthen his right guard position. Throughout Shanahan’s seven seasons in that position, the offense has overcome serious problems.
Warner has not hesitated to keep strengthening Puni since he is aware of the stakes.
“He always tells me good job in the locker room,” Puni said. “‘Keep stacking days. Keep working. Being a rookie is tough, but you’re doing a hell of a job.’”
Odds & ends
• The 49ers had a brief practice on Tuesday without full pads since they have a short week before their preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday. Despite working off to the side, receivers Ricky Pearsall (shoulder) and Jauan Jennings (oblique) missed practice. Pearsall will not be returning to practice this week, according to Shanahan. In addition to missing practice, cornerback Isaac Yiadom (ankle) and punter Mitch Wishnowsky (knee) worked on the side as did running backs Christian McCaffrey (calf strain) and Elijah Mitchell (hamstring).
Burford took part, but solely in solo exercises. Once more, left guard Aaron Banks, who will be sidelined until at least Week 1 due to a broken pinkie, was replaced by Nick Zakelj.
• Defensive backs Patrick Taylor Jr. (foot) and Isaac Guerendo (hamstring) resumed practice. Shanahan saw to it that both were featured right away. On the first play of team drills, youngster Guerendo took a pitch to the right; on the second play, Taylor took a pitch to the left. They both appeared to have new legs. In particular, Guerendo breezed across the line in his first try.
The rookie is expected to make his preseason debut on Friday, which is significant since the 49ers need to incorporate him into their offense as the regular season draws near. The youngster has resumed practice. Pearsall, meanwhile, will not play in any preseason games since he will not be able to return to practice until at least next week. That could make it more difficult for him to perform in Week 1.
• In Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints, rookie Jacob Cowing made an impression on the 49ers with his excellent all-around effort. That includes handling punts from a punter with both left and right feet successfully on a really windy late-afternoon at Levi’s Stadium.
Punt return work for Jacob Cowing, Trent Taylor and Ronnie Bell pic.twitter.com/oy0dQYGkXz
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 20, 2024
Cowing held his ground during practice and could be the front-runner for the vacant punt returner position with the 49ers.
• QB Brock Purdy, who finished 12-for-13, connected with veteran receiver Robbie Chosen for a deep 60-yard touchdown, which was the offensive highlight of Tuesday’s practice. Chosen, who had defeated safety Ji’Ayir Brown and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, was awarded a perfectly timed streak.
Even though Chosen is now 31 years old, he still appears to have a good amount of straight-line speed as he managed a 4.36 40-yard dash on his pro day after graduating from Temple in 2016.
(Photo: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images)
