49ers top pick makes headlines about players returning from injuries in final practice before cuts

After a break following the conclusion of the preseason, the San Francisco 49ers resumed their preparations for the opening game of the 2024 season against the New York Jets.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan has some question marks as wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams appear no closer to resolving their contract issues and his defense has been hit by injuries at the wrong time.

He also has to trim his roster to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. The 49ers released a few players on Monday morning, including former top forward Matt Brieda, but there were no major surprises.

Monday's practice marked the return of several key players to the practice field. ESPN reporter Nick Wagoner reported that San Francisco's top 2024 pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, was in uniform for individual drills, although he wore a blue no-contact jersey the entire time.

Pearsall missed most of training camp and sat out all preseason games after suffering a partially dislocated shoulder in Florida and re-injuring it not long ago.

“I think his junior year,” Shanahan said. “He did it for the first time with us at OTAs, and when you do that, it's tender. And then he did it again here a couple weeks ago, and it's tender, so you want to give him time to recover from that.”

Fellow flanker Jauan Jennings was also back, as was cornerback Isaac Yiadom for defense. Yiadom had been battling an ankle injury.

Wagoner also reported that All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, defensive end Leonard Floyd and left guard Aaron Banks did not participate in team or individual drills, but instead trained on an adjacent field.

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