SANTA CLARA – Another day with presumptive starting cornerbacks Tramaine Brock and Chris Culliver out of action provided another pair of corners a chance to shine.
Darryl Morris and Perrish Cox, both of whom will compete with rookie Jimmie Ward for the nickel cornerback role, checked in with strong days during the 49ers’ practice Wednesday afternoon.
Morris broke up four passes throughout the day on plays in which he was assigned to defend Michael Crabtree, Brandon Lloyd, Stevie Johnson and Anquan Boldin, respectively.
Cox was solid in coverage, and made interceptions of two Colin Kaepernick passes during 11-on-11 drills.
Here are some other notes and observations from 49ers camp:
--Wide receiver Michael Crabtree left practice early after appearing to have his lower body checked out by an assistant trainer. Crabtree was able to leave the practice field without any assistance. There was no immediate update on Crabtree's condition.
--Linebacker Aldon Smith was not at practice, as he was previously scheduled to attend an office hearing with the Los Angeles District Attorney to close the matter of his alleged false report of a bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport in April. Smith faces no criminal charges stemming from the incident. (UPDATED: Smith is reportedly scheduled to meet Friday, Aug. 8, with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The meeting will take place in New York while the 49ers are in Baltimore to face the Ravens on Aug. 7, following by four days of practices.)
--The defensive backs were very active with their hands during a 7-on-7 portion of practice with stripping balls from the receivers. Dontae Johnson made a strong play when he stripped Boldin. A short time before that, Ward broke up a pass for Devon Wylie.
--Ray McDonald and Justin Smith sat out practice. The starting defensive line consisted if right end Tank Carradine, nose tackle Glenn Dorsey and left end Tony Jerod-Eddie.
--Defensive lineman Quinton Dial continues to show a great blend of quickness and strength during one-on-one and team drills.
--Linebacker Patrick Willis intercepted a pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson in 7-on-7.
--Corey Lemonier, Ahmad Brooks, Chris Borland had would-be sacks during team work.
[RELATED: Fangio: Borland's instincts have gotten him into trouble]
--Wide receiver David Reed, a five-year veteran, had a very good day five catches during team period.
--During a red-zone period, Kaepernick threw touchdown passes to Reed and Chuck Jacobs.
Participation report
Daily transactions: G Fou Fonoti was placed on injured reserve.
Returned to practice: None.
Did not practice: LB Aldon Smith (court appearance in Los Angeles), WR Jonathan Baldwin (NA), DL Demarcus Dobbs (NA), RB LaMichael James (dislocated elbow), RB Kendall Hunter (torn right ACL), CB Tramaine Brock (ankle), CB Chris Culliver (leg), DL Justin Smith (offseason shoulder surgery), DL Ray McDonald (leg), RT Anthony Davis (offseason shoulder surgery), C Marcus Martin (ankle), LB Aaron Lynch (hamstring).
Physically unable to perform: LB NaVorro Bowman (knee), NT Ian Williams (lower leg), TE Garrett Celek (back), DL Kaleb Ramsey (NA).
Non-football injury: RB Marcus Lattimore (knee/hamstring), FB Trey Millard (knee), CB Keith Reaser (knee) and G Brandon Thomas (knee).
Reserve/did not report: RG Alex Boone (contract holdout).
