Chase Young makes 49ers practice debut after trade from Washington
Defensive end Chase Young, nearly a week after his trade, debuted at 49ers practice Monday wearing No. 92 as the team reconvenes after its bye week.
SANTA CLARA — Chase Young, in a freshly appointed No. 92 jersey, made his 49ers’ practice debut Monday, six days after being traded from the Washington Commanders.
Young was reunited with Ohio State teammate Nick Bosa and the 49ers are hoping that combination helps kickstart their defense and high-priced pass rush.
Young’s Day 1 outfit for the walk-through practice without pads: Red jersey, red leggings under black shorts (cut-off jersey pants), red headband, and red-and-white Jordan cleats.
Acquired for a 2024 conditional third-round pick, Young passed a physical Wednesday to formally complete the trade, alleviating some concerns about his right knee injury from two years ago.
Young had five sacks in seven games this season with the Commanders, putting him on track for a career-high total. He had 7 1/2 sacks as the 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of The Year, then a November 2021 knee injury sidelined him until the final three games of last season.
The 49ers (5-3) look to snap a three-game losing streak Sunday when they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2). Both teams are coming off their bye week, and both rank No. 3 in their respective conference standings. The Jaguars are on a five-game win streak.
PURDY VISITS ALMA MATER
Quarterback Brock Purdy returned to Iowa during the bye week, and not only did he harvest a field in a tractor, he also drew a standing ovation while recognized at Iowa State’s game 28-21 home loss Saturday night to Kansas. As for the tractor, his fiancée, Jenna Brandt, posted an Instagram video of him driving it on her family farm.
This Sunday marks Purdy’s first game in Jacksonville, where he has trained in each of the previous two offseasons. His final game as Iowa State’s career passing leader came down the road in Orlando, with a December 2021 loss to Clemson in the Cheez-It Bowl.
Purdy remains second in the NFL with a 105.4 passer rating, behind the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa (106.4).
Purdy gets introduced one of the best Stading Ovations in a while.
: @CurtisFeder_ pic.twitter.com/exkHZrk2HW
— FQ Iowa State (@FQIowaState) November 4, 2023
PRACTICE OBSERVATIONS
Left guard Aaron Banks (toe) was not at practice and is expected to miss only his second game since becoming a starter last season; he missed the 2022 regular-season finale with a knee injury. Banks’ toe injury is believed to have happened late last game, in the 49ers’ 31-17 loss to Cincinnati on Oct. 29. Jon Feliciano practiced in Banks’ place Monday.
Other 49ers with health issues worth watching this week: McCaffrey (oblique), wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder), left tackle Trent Williams (right ankle) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (shoulder).
Williams was on hand but not participating in practice but the others were.
The 49ers activated the practice windows for three players on injury lists: rookie cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (knee), cornerback Sam Womack (knee) and defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (hamstring).
McCAFFREY STILL IN FIRST
Even after the bye week, Christian McCaffrey has maintained a wire-to-wire lead atop the NFL rushing charts. His 452 yards (4.8-yard average, nine touchdowns) remain ahead of the Colts’ Zack Moss (615 yards), the Eagles’ D’Andre Swift (614) and the Dolphins’ Raheem Mostert (605).
TEAM STATS
Here are notable stats on where the 49ers and Jaguars rank in the NFL:
Offense:
Jaguars — No. 10 in scoring (24.1 points per game), No. 15 in total yards per game (341.4), No. 26 in red-zone efficiency (47.6 percent).
49ers — No. 4 in scoring (27.3), No. 4 in yards (376.6), No. 5 in rushing (133.5), No. 9 in passing (243.1).
Defense:
Jaguars — No. 9 in scoring (19.5), No. 23 in total yards (342.8), No. 3 in rushing (79.3), No. 30 in passing (263.5)
49ers — No. 4 in scoring (17.5), No. 9 in yards (315), No. 5 in rushing (86.1) and No. 19 in passing (228.9)