49ers camp: Defense again forces turnovers, another interception of Lance

SANTA CLARA — Here are the highs, lows and other deeds from Friday’s 49ers practice, their third at training camp and their first without fans in attendance (because of an ensuing Red Hot Chili Peppers concert inside Levi’s Stadium):

DEFENSE STILL DOMINATES

Safety Talanoa Hufanga twice gave up Trey Lance completions to tight end George Kittle before making amends. On the snap after Kittle’s second catch, Lance again sought Kittle over the middle, but the throw was late and behind the Pro Bowl tight end, and the ball instead got intercepted by Hufanga, who’s having a solid camp as the starting strong safety.

Rather than brag about his interception, Hufanga explained why he’s enamored with Lance, calling his fellow 2019 “just incredible.”

“We always chirp a little at each other walking by because we know what kind of day it is, that we want to work,” Hufanga said. “The competition on the field is just amazing. He can do anything, any throw you ask of him. I’m grateful to be on the same field as him.”

A day after the defense totaled four interceptions — including safety Jimmie Ward’s off Lance — they produced three takeaways in this session. Deommodore Lenoir forced the first fumble of camp by stripping Austin Mack’s reception of a Nate Sudfeld pass (Kerry Hyder Jr. recovered the fumble), and Ambry Thomas intercepted a Sudfeld’s target toward KeeSean Johnson.

Forcing more turnovers not only helps defensive stops, but, this season, it will get the ball back into Trey Lance’s hands and create more drives and more reps for his growth.

“We’re always talking about the ball. It’s definitely on the forefront of our minds, always,” Nick Bosa said. “It’s exciting to see interceptions happen in practice, because that usually translates to the game. It juices up the whole defense. It’s been a fun two days.”

POOR PASSING GAME

Lance threw incompletions on his five attempts and completed just 3-of-10 passes. It wasn’t as ugly as the stat line reflects. He connected early on with Kittle twice, and after the interception, he went deep to Ray-Ray McCloud, who got tripped up with Charvarius Ward in coverage. McCloud later beat Emmanuel Moseley on a quick throw that was Lance’s final completion.

Nate Sufeld’s line wasn’t much better (4-of-9) though he was hindered by three drops. Rookie Brock Purdy was 5-of-7.

REST DAYS

Yes, they’re only two practices into camp but the 49ers aren’t overworking players with injury history. Not practicing were Bosa, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and right tackle Mike McGlinchey, the latter two of whom are slated to see 11-on-11 action Saturday.

D-LINE DEPTH

With Arik Armstrong shelved a few weeks because of a sprained right knee, the 49ers signed defensive tackle Tomasi Laulile, a 300-pounder who was given jersey No. 55, which belonged to Dee Ford until his release Wednesday. Laulile recently played for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers; he’s had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints but hasn’t played in a NFL game.

With the defensive line missing Armstead, Bosa and Kinlaw on Friday, the first-string unit featured Jordan Willis, Maurice Hurst, Kevin Givens and Charles Omenihu, the latter of whom touched Sudfeld’s back for a would-be sack on the play that ended with Thomas’ interception.

Incumbent starter Samson Ebukam lined up instead of Omenihu later on the first-string line and beat right tackle Jaylon Moore to pressure Lance into an incompletion.

VERRETT FANS

A day after Lance opined for good buddy Jason Verrett to come off the physically-unable-to-perform list in the next few weeks, cornerback Charvarius Ward also expressed his admiration for Verrett, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in last season’s opener in the latest setback to an injury-ravaged career.

“JV, I’ve been a fan of him since I was in college. I wore No. 2 in college because of Jason Verrett,” said Ward, who played at Middle Tennessee State. “He’s been dropping knowledge of us. I can’t wait until he gets healthy and gets back there with us. I know he’s been going through adversity a lot of his career. He’s still got love for the game. He brings a different mentality to our room. He’s a big dog, for sure.:

BAREHAND BRAWLERS

Aside from the quarterbacks, almost every player wears gloves in practice, but not everyone else does so in warmups. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, defensive end Drake Jackson, running back JaMycal Hasty and linebacker Jeremiah Gemmel are the ones who don’t don gloves in warmups.