This question comes from Patrick Tulini, who writes, via Twitter, @PTulini: Do you think 49ers training camp is too physical? Players seem to be all beat up.
It's a legitimate question given the spate of concussions (three and counting), Chilo Rachal's scary moment Tuesday and Scott McKillop's presumably season-ending knee injury Wednesday. But I think the answer is, no, or at least it's no rougher than other training camps I've watched. The difference is the length of the morning practice - it goes on for three hours - and the nutcracker drill that is incorporated into every session.
But the nutcracker only is responsible for one injury that we know of - defensive end Derek Walker's knee injury yesterday. Walker toughed it out the rest of practice. Baas got dinged in a pass-blocking drill while McKillop was hurt on a non-contact play in seven-on-seven. Both of those drills are part of every camp across the country. (It's unknown how Delanie Walker sustained his concussion. Travis LaBoy's came well after yesterday's nutcracker session).
And it seems as if the duration of the practices will begin to shorten. Today's, for example, begins at 8:50 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. After getting the afternoon off yesterday, many players will get another break today. The afternoon session is special teams only. The 49ers travel more and farther than any other team this season. That has to be something Singletary considered when planning this camp ....
You can find me on Twitter at @MattBarrows
-- Matt Barrows
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