Kenny Chesney's tour hits Levi's® Stadium on Saturday night. So it made a lot of sense why the multi-platinum country recording artist was chatting with Chip Kelly at Day 6 of San Francisco 49ers training camp presented by SAP.
For more on the celebrity appearance and other practice takeaways, we offer our top observations from the Saturday session.
1. Quinton Patton provided the best highlight on a pad-less day of work. The fourth-year receiver caught a 40-yard deep ball from Blaine Gabbert down the left hashmarks. Patton continues to excel as a first-team receiver opposite of Torrey Smith, who returned to work after missing Friday's session.
2. The 70-minute practice didn't provide a ton of eye-catching moments, but one of the most striking happenings was the involvement of rookie quarterback Jeff Driskel as a kick returner. The sixth-round draft pick has worked in as a punt protector, but this was the first time we saw No. 6 field a kick of any kind. He worked with Bruce Ellington, DeAndrew White, Bryce Treggs and DuJuan Harris as the other kick returners.
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3.** Jaquiski Tartt returned to work after being taken off of the Active/Non-Football Injury List. The second-year safety had a limited day of work on the field, but he did see action with the first-team defense in a sub package.
4. Chesney visited with Kelly and general manager Trent Baalke before practice. The country star's music was played during the individual period of practice. "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy" got some air time before the regular rap-heavy playlist went off during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 periods.
5. The opening team period saw Ray-Ray Armstrong join NaVorro Bowman as the starting inside linebackers. Defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil stated before practice that the three-way competition for the job (Armstrong, Michael Wilhoite, Gerald Hodges) is one of the most talked-about aspects of camp for the defensive coaches. Bowman opened the drill with a tackle-for-loss on a Shaun Draugh run.
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6.** Colin Kaepernick's best throw of the day was a deep corner to Ellington for a 25-yard gain. The quarterback led his receiver perfectly down the field.
7. Second-year tight end Blake Bell made his most impressive catch of camp on a 25-yard seam pass from Kaepernick during 7-on-7 work.
8. The final team period of the day saw Jimmie Ward work as the slot cornerback. He was flanked by Tramaine Brock and Keith Reaser as the other cornerbacks in the nickel sub package. Anthony Davis and Joshua Garnett continued with the second-team offensive line at right tackle and right guard, respectively.
9. First-round draft pick DeForest Buckner put his 6-foot-7 body to good use by knocking down Kaepernick's first throw of the final 11-on-11 period. Bowman later added a sack on Kaepernick after blitzing up the middle.
