MINNEAPOLIS — Nate Sudfeld’s path to the 49ers — and, really, his journey in life — started simply across the nook and seven miles down the road from their Santa Clara headquarters.
“Enjoyable truth: So I used to be truly born in Santa Clara on the Kaiser Hospital. Yeah, some bizarre trivia,” Sudfeld, 28, revealed at the beginning of coaching camp. “I lived in San Jose till I used to be about 3 or 4, then moved to Modesto, which is admittedly the place I grew up.
“I grew up a Niner fan, for positive.”
Followers now are questioning how succesful Sudfeld is to take over a playoff-contending crew if Trey Lance will get harm in his first yr because the beginning quarterback.
Saturday’s preseason recreation on the Vikings ought to provide extra clues.
Coach Kyle Shanahan doesn't plan to play Lance or different front-line starters this recreation — not after this week’s two jointpractices with the Vikings, not with a preseason finale looming Thursday at Houston, and never with the common season awaiting on Sept. 11.
Enter: Sudfeld, whose first go within the 49ers’ preseason opener delivered a 39-yard landing strike to Ray-Ray McCloud. Sudfeld performed two quarters in that win over the Packers earlier than yielding to rookie Brock Purdy.
Lance and his understudies had blended leads to Wednesday and Thursday practices in opposition to the Vikings. But it surely’s not as if the 49ers are going to reverse course and produce again Jimmy Garoppolo, whose delayed exit from the roster figures to return to fruition throughout the subsequent two weeks if not days.
Guaranteeing Sudfeld $2 million this season, because the 49ers did in March, means he’s acquired the QB2 job. A yr in the past, he beat out Josh Rosen for the QB3 position that basically banished him to the observe squad, however he additionally proved a key mentor to Lance.
A 2016 fourth-round draft pick of Indiana, Sudfeld didn't play his rookie season with Washington. His ensuing three-year tenure with Philadelphia ended controversially, with then-Eagles coach Doug Peterson inserting him into the regular-season finale instead of Jalen Hurts; Sudfeld went 5-of-12 for 31 yards and an interception in a 20-14 loss to Washington, which clinched the NFC East and thus stored the New York Giants out of the playoffs.
On what his NFL journey (4 profession appearances, 37 passes) has taught him, Sudfeld replied: “I really like the game. I really like the camaraderie within the locker room. I really like enjoying the place, and I’m simply having fun with the method of being in San Francisco.”
Technically, the 49ers are headquartered in Santa Clara, his native city. His favourite 49ers?
“Man I may go down the checklist,” Sudfeld replied. “Clearly Joe Montana; I used to be fairly younger however he was clearly who he's, Joe Cool.
“As I watched soccer extra, Steve Younger, clearly I beloved him,” Sudfeld added. “I've footage of myself as a bit of child carrying a painted No. 8 on a white shirt. I ultimately did get a Steve Younger jersey, which was fairly cool. After which Jerry Rice was … the person. My older brothers performed soccer with Brent Jones’ daughter. So Brent Jones is a household favourite, additionally.”
Listed here are different positions to observe within the preseason assembly in Minneapolis:
NICKEL BACK: Rookie Sam Womack III has mainly locked up that position because the No. 3 cornerback, not solely by advantage of his two interceptions in Friday’s debut in opposition to Inexperienced Bay however in practices throughout camp. What the 49ers additionally want, nevertheless, is to get reps for others at that spot (assume: Who can cowl Cooper Kupp?). That would imply potential beginning left cornerback Deommodore Lenoir may shift inside, or the 49ers may look towards Qwuantrezz Knight and Ka’Dar Hollman.
FREE SAFETY: Even had Jimmie Ward not strained his hamstring Sunday, he wouldn’t have performed, so the 49ers can preserve sleuthing for depth at this spot. Particular-teams ace George Odum may very well be supplanting Tarvarius Moore on the depth chart because the No. 3 security behind Ward and Talanoa Hufanga. Undrafted rookie Tayler Hawkins additionally has an excellent alternative to state his case.
OFFENSIVE LINE: The beginning offensive line appears set — Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Spencer Burford, Mike McGlinchey — however work stays with the backup spots, except for Colton McKivitz within the No. 3 deal with position and Daniel Brunskill someplace as soon as his hamstring heals. Undrafted rookie Jason Poe is likely to be the extra intriguing watch amongst inside linemen Keaton Sutherland, Nick Zakelj and Dohnovan West. At deal with, control rookie Sam Schlueter, a College of Minnesota product, and maybe even Alfredo Gutierrez, the 49ers’ worldwide participant from Mexico who’s but to see recreation motion since arriving final yr.
SPECIAL TEAMS: OK, that is obscure, however the 49ers have been intent on bettering their particular groups, and issues weren’t precisely nice within the preseason opener. This unit can also be the place a roster-bubble participant can step up, anyone like vast receiver Austin Mack.