San Francisco 49ers training camp presented by SAP officially opened for business on Sunday. The team's quarterback competition, defensive play-making and a notable practice return were under the microscope for all to see.
We've boiled down the 13 best practice takeaways in this post.
1. Chip Kelly announced that the first-team quarterback reps would be split evenly on Day 1 of camp. This was the case when Colin Kaepernick took the opening 7-on-7 reps and Blaine Gabbert was on the field first for 11-on-11 work. In total, each quarterback was given an equal 12 snaps with the first-team offense.
2. Anthony Davis made his anticipated return. The first-round pick in 2010, who was reinstated to the team after sitting out in 2015, ran with the third-team offense at right tackle. Davis played primarily next to 2016 first-round draft pick, right guard Joshua Garnett. Davis spoke with reporters following practice and said he's excited to be back and that his best football is ahead of him.
3. The standout practice player appeared to be third-year cornerback Keith Reaser. The speedy defensive back lined up with the second-team defense at right cornerback and recorded an interception for a would-be pick-six. He also broke up a pass intended for Quinton Patton.
4. Several other defenders recorded pass breakups on the day. Dontae Johnson, NaVorro Bowman and Reaser recorded PBUs during 7-on-7 work. Rookie Rashard Robinson nearly broke up a pass on a Gabbert throw to first-year wideout DiAndre Campbell on a comeback route, but the rookie rebounded on the very next play to break up a throw. Robinson had excellent coverage on both plays and was able to finish the second by knocking the ball out of Campbell's hands at the end of his would-be reception. Robinson spent most of the day working with the second-team unit opposite of Reaser.
5. Not to be outdone, the offense made plays of their own. Kaepernick connected with second-year wideout DeAndrew White on a deep crossing route and Garrett Celek over the middle of the field on back-to-back throws in the opening 7-on-7 period. Another strong throw from Kaepernick saw the sixth-year pro fire a deep out to Torrey Smith down the right sideline. Gabbert connected with Smith as well on a sideline route in the opening 11-on-11 session.
6. In terms of depth-chart watching in team periods, Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward remained as the first-team cornerbacks. Chris Davis worked as the first slot corner. Michael Wilhoite joined NaVorro Bowman at inside linebacker. Mike Purcell worked at nose tackle in between left defensive tackle Arik Armstead and right defensive tackle Quinton Dial. Armstead recorded an impressive tackle-for-loss on a hand-off to Shaun Draughn in the opening team period of practice.
7. On offense, Trent Brown joined the first-team offense at right tackle. The rest of the offensive line was Andrew Tiller at right guard, Daniel Kilgore at center, Zane Beadles and left guard and Joe Staley at left tackle. Garrett Celek joined the first offense at tight end and the three-wide formation saw Smith joined by Patton and Bruce Ellington on the field.
8. With Jaquiski Tartt sidelined with a minor injury to open camp, Kenneth Acker saw some third-team reps at safety in addition to his normal work at cornerback.
9. Third-round draft pick Will Redmond worked as a slot defender and recorded a pass breakup on a blitz off the edge. It was Redmond's first 11-on-11 action of the offseason, which is a positive development considering that he suffered a season-ending knee injury late in his final collegiate season at Mississippi State.
10. Prior to practice, Kelly mentioned that he uses the NFL-issued Microsoft Surface tablets to view practice footage during "teaching" periods. The 49ers coach was observed utilizing the tablets mid-practice on Saturday.
11. Ellington, White and undrafted rookie wideout Bryce Treggs took turns fielding punts during special teams work.
12. Defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie also recorded a pass breakup at the line of scrimmage on a short throw. The signal-caller, however, responded with a dart to physical wideout Eric Rogers a few plays later.
13. Veteran defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey passed his conditioning physical but only took part in the individual drill periods. Dorsey worked with trainers during the group portions of practice. Third-year safety L.J. McCray also returned to the field for 11-on-11 work, lining up as a second-team safety.
For more on Sunday's session, watch "49ers Live" at 4:30 p.m. PT on the team's official mobile app.
