SANTA CLARA — Trey Lance is doing everything in his power to prepare for his second NFL season with the 49ers.
Team sources told NBC Sports Bay Area Sunday that the second quarterback is expected to stay in Santa Clara for an additional workweek on a voluntary basis.
Coach Kyle Shanahan shortened the team’s mandatory mini-camp by a day, explaining that the staff have seen everything they need for now.
That’s nothing new for the head coach, who for the past several years has made day three of minicamp a picnic day for players, coaches and their families. Bouncy castles, children’s activities and food vendors help create an environment that encourages bonding within the group.
“I’m looking at the off-season because you’re allowed to do 12 training sessions,” Shanahan said after Day 1 of the minicamp. “Nine of them are called OTAs and three are called mini-camps, but I just think of it as 12 practices and I don’t think 12 practices are necessary. I never. And that’s why we never did 12.”
The head coach recalled holding 11 offseason practice sessions as the most for the team, but added that the number of practice sessions will be determined as the offseason progresses. This season, Shanahan thought the group’s progress was going well enough to move minicamp up a week instead of holding it June 13-15.
Along with Lance, the 49ers’ 2022 draft class will remain in the Bay Area for another week of work along with several sophomores and some veterans. Most veterans, including Deebo Samuel, will leave the facility to work closer to their hometowns and/or families with their own personal trainers.
While Samuel reported to team headquarters with his contract extension not yet finalized, he did not work with Lance on the field for team practice during the two practice sessions. Not wanting to risk injury, the star receiver worked with the team coaches on agility and was spotted sprinting at the edge of the field.
Lance doesn’t feel that not having time to work with one of his best players will hurt the build-up chemistry. The young quarterback knows they’ll see each other often when the team gathers for training camp in late July.
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“No, I don’t think so,” Lance said during minicamp. “It would be great to have him out there but I understand the situation and we’ll be spending a lot of time together this off-season in July and late June. So I’m not worried at all and the training camp is all about reps.”
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