SANTA CLARA — Perhaps no drive in training camp reflected the 49ers‘ offensive ideals more than a 12th-period, move-the-ball drill late in Wednesday’s session.

Christian McCaffrey was in the backfield for 8-of-10 plays, capped by a one-handed touchdown catch on a Brock Purdy pass against Fred Warner’s tight coverage at the goal line.

The 49ers relied heavily on McCaffrey’s talents in 2022 and 2023. Then injuries shelved him for all but 3 1/2 games of last season’s demise. The 49ers’ contingency plan this season is Isaac Guerendo, after trading Jordan Mason to Minnesota in the offseason. A more experienced Guerendo awaits.

“Going into Year 1, it’s a complex offense, so picking it up can be difficult. Your mind is racing 100 mph,” said Guerendo, a 2024 fourth-round pick. “This year, it’s slowing down and you can focus on the quality of reps you’re getting.”

An Aug. 2 shoulder injury kept Guerendo out for two weeks, so now seeing him practice on back-to-back days was encouraging, even more so considering the sketchy depth at running back. Jeff Wilson Jr. and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are their only other healthy running backs, as rookie Jordan James remains out after finger surgery.

“Timing-wise, it’s nice, but as you know in this game, stuff changes quick,” Guerendo said. “You always have to be ready for that.”

In a procedural move, undrafted rookie Corey Kiner was waived prior to practice with an injury designation, having sustained a severe high-ankle sprain in Saturday’s preseason win at Las Vegas.

Kiner was impressive through three weeks, and the 49ers are surely hoping he clears waives for a potential return. That didn’t happen in 2020 with cornerback D.J. Reed, who was claimed by the Seattle Seahawks.

If no team bites on Kiner, he could revert to the 49ers’ Injured Reserve list or negotiate an injury settlement. The latter would allow him to sign anywhere, including with the 49ers. And for that to happen, it’s believed the 49ers would have to wait three weeks until their prognosis of when his ankle would be healthy, so possibly in November.

Guerendo relieved McCaffrey for two plays on the aforementioned drive Wednesday, and Guerendo had an earlier red zone run that appeared to find the end zone. He played in all but one game last season, and he averaged 5 yards per carry (84 for 420 yards) before being carted off in the regular-season finale in Arizona with a knee injury.

BETHUNE BANS SWEDISH FISH

Linebacker Tatum Bethune credits his second-year jump to following Fred Warner’s advice on and off the field. “Fred tells me he’s not telling me anything else until I get my nutrition and hydration together. If I can’t do simple things right, what makes me think I can do what he does?”

Bethune has delivered big-time hits through two seasons playing the middle linebacker while Warner was safely stashed. Noting he’s “very grateful” for Warner, Bethune was asked what dietary changes he made, and he replied: “I’m a real sweet tooth guy. I like candy. … I love Swedish Fish. But I had to give it up.”

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh raved about Bethune’s progress, and although a 4.7-second time in the 40-yard dash is not great, Saleh noted: “He plays much faster. Kind of like Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw ran a molasses 40. But his GPS adjusted.”

COWING ABSENT AGAIN

Wide receiver Jacob Cowing was missing from practice after participating for only a week since sustaining a hamstring injury on camp’s opening day. Still out from that unit are Jauan Jennings (calf) and Jordan Watkins (ankle); Malik Turner also was not seen at practice, a week after his signing.

The 49ers did add another familiar wide receiver, signing Malik Knowles, who was in their training camp last year.

GUARD SIGNED

With Ben Bartch (elbow) rehabilitating on a side field and Dominick Puni (knee) out for a couple of weeks, the 49ers need help at guard, so they signed journeyman Michael Dunn, who played in 53 games with nine starts over the past five seasons. Dunn played  on the Cleveland Browns, after beginning his career with the Los Angeles Rams (2017-18), Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-19), and, Miami Dolphins (2019). Defensive lineman Demone Harris was released in a corresponding move.

The 49ers gave third-string center Drake Nugent reps Tuesday at right guard, and he got bowled into quarterback Carter Bradley on a bull rush by defensive tackle Jordan Elliott.

PLAYS OF THE DAY

Purdy connected down the right sideline with George Kittle, who ran about 50 yards after the catch for a would-be goal-line collision with safety Ji’Ayir Brown. … Linebacker Dee Winters intercepted a Purdy pass that was deflected during a red zone drill.  … Jalen Graham intercepted Nate Sudfeld, who got his first full-team reps after signing Tuesday. … Jakob Robinson intercepted Bradley.

Originally Published: August 20, 2025 at 11:03 AM PDT