SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan has indicated his goal will be to limit the workload of star running back Christian McCaffrey.
At the end of the 49ers’ offseason program, backup running backs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason were common sights running routes and catching passes out of the backfield.
McCaffrey did not practice during the offseason program, including the team’s two days of mandatory minicamp, after signing a two-year contract extension that runs through the 2027 season.
Mitchell caught just six passes for 14 yards last season, while Mason caught three for 31 yards, so if the offseason program is any indication, Shanahan should have more confidence in both players’ pass-catching abilities.
“Halfbacks check down so much that they can get six targets a game without a single play being called,” Shanahan said.
Mitchell has led the way in practices so far this spring. On Wednesday, Mason caught three passes from quarterback Brock Purdy during an offense-defense drill.
The 49ers were reluctant to take McCaffrey out of the game, mainly because of his third-down pass-catching skills.
As Mitchell and Mason further hone their skills, the 49ers may increase playing time for both players to limit wear and tear on McCaffrey throughout the season.
Here are some other observations from the 49ers’ mandatory minicamp.
— Offensive tackle Trent Williams returned to the 49ers facility after attending his daughter’s graduation but did not participate in on-field practice.
— Defensive tackle Malik Collins, who was with his family rather than taking part in the offseason program, worked out on the sidelines of Santa Clara. Many of the team’s veteran players did not practice during minicamp.
“We’re not going to take a risk just throwing guys in there who haven’t been through Phase I, Phase II, Phase III,” Shanahan said.
— Newly signed veteran tight end Logan Thomas participated in practice after signing with the team on Tuesday. He caught a pass from Brandon Allen early in a 7-on-7 drill.
— Second-year tight end Brayden Willis has looked noticeably more comfortable in the team’s passing game this offseason as George Kittle continues his physical therapy following offseason core muscle surgery. Willis’ best reception came when he caught a dart from Purdy in congestion on a seam route. Willis made another catch, this time through the excellent coverage of linebacker Dee Winters.
— Cameron Latu, last season’s third-round draft pick, appeared to be running at full speed on the sideline. Latu spent his rookie season on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery. Shanahan said Latu hasn’t experienced any setbacks and is on pace to be ready for the start of training camp in late July.
— Deebo Samuel caught consecutive passes from Purdy early in the 11-on-11 session for a 35-yard gain against cornerback Samuel Womack’s defense.
— Ronnie Bell faces a challenge to earn a roster spot. On Wednesday, he slipped through his own territory on a deep seam route on a pass from Brandon Allen.
— On the third play of practice Tuesday, Purdy passed on a 30-yard corner route to rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who was a regular in targets and receptions during the offseason program.
“He’s done a good job,” Shanahan said of Piersall. “He’s got really good handles so he doesn’t drop it very often. We’ve had him work a lot. He’s running a lot of different routes, trying all different positions and I’ve been really impressed with the way he’s started.”
— The 49ers are looking to get more out of their defensive end opposite Nick Bosa. Veteran Leonard Floyd made a nice play with a speed move around the corner to get past right tackle Colton McKivitz and force Purdy out of the pocket. Floyd had 39.5 sacks over the past four seasons before signing with the 49ers as a free agent this offseason.
— Defensive end Yeter Gross-Matos wasn’t fooled at all by the bootleg and got close to Purdy as he rolled to his left. Gross-Matos forced Purdy’s incomplete pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
— The 49ers worked through the new kickoff format in the first period, with Mitchell, Bell, Piersall, Trent Taylor, Tereke Owens and Cody Schrader working as return men.
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