SANTA CLARA — Once Bryce Huff was freed from an ill-fitting match with the Philadelphia Eagles, he wasted no time in doing what he’s expected to do for the 49ers.
Be on the attack. Full speed ahead.
“I went back to Philly to pack up my stuff and was here the whole offseason,” Huff said Tuesday after their sixth practice of training camp and second in pads. “I was locked in with (strength coach Mike) Nicolini to make sure my body was on point for camp. It’s translated well. I’ve been in good shape. I feel strong, explosive.”
That’s the mandate from defensive line coach Kris Kocurek and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, one that the 49ers hope will begin a career rebirth after being miscast as a standup outside linebacker. He’ll put his hand on the ground and get after the passer, rather than take on the duties of an outside linebacker.
“Rushing with my hand down is definitely what I’m supposed to be doing,” Huff said. “It’s a lot more physical style of ball. They want me to go be an athlete and make plays.”
Huff, at 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, has always been a tweener. Not exactly an outside linebacker, but not an every-down edge-setter on the defensive line either.
The 49ers’ hope is they can use Huff situationally as a pass rusher opposite Nick Bosa, something they’ve been looking for since Dee Ford came aboard in 2019. They’ve cycled through the likes of Arden Key, Charles Omenihu and Samson Ebukam but have yet to find a pure edge rusher in the bunch.
Huff likely won’t start and be saved for pass rush situations, possibly with rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams moving inside to create a bookend with Bosa. But after being acquired for a conditional fifth-round draft pick and with the Eagles taking on $9.05 million salary after a free agent deal signed before the 2024 season, Huff will be given every chance to get in the face of Kurt Warner, Kyler Murray, Sam Darnold in the NFC West and every other quarterback on the schedule.
Huff sees the benefits of working against future Hall of Fame tackle Trent Williams in practice.
“It’s very cool to get that experience considering he’s one of the best in the league, to rush with him and pick his brain on certain things,” Huff said.
Has Huff exploded off the page during the first week? Not exactly, but it’s too early to draw conclusions. A look at some other 49ers veterans who arrived from other teams and are looking for roles in replacing players who departed in free agency or were released:
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (5) has made a good impression on the 49ers in his first week of training camp at a position of need. Nhat V. Meyer/Mercury News
WR Demarcus Robinson: With Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing a knee injury, Jauan Jennings currently injured and Ricky Pearsall being on a careful schedule, Robinson, day-in and day-out, has been the 49ers’ best receiver through the first week. Corner Deommodore Lenoir calls him “crafty.”
He’s expected to miss time on suspension after pleading no contest to a DUI charge on July 10. The 49ers knew about it when they signed him. They’ll wait. Whether it’s three games or more. It’s an uphill battle for Isaiah Hodgins, Equanamious St. Brown and Malik Knowles.
TE Luke Farrell: Farrell will be the undisputed backup tight end to George Kittle and play plenty in two-tight-end sets. He’s regarded as a punishing blocker with receiving skills still to be exploited.
S Jason Pinnock: Pinnock has been a consistent first-teamer along with Ji’Ayir Brown and, if healthy, a likely Week 1 starter. Things will get interesting when Malik Mustapha is fully rehabbed from a torn ACL.
QB Mac Jones: Jones has looked solid so far in assimilating to Kyle Shanahan’s system. One minor surprise — he’s not as nifty as Brock Purdy in terms of scrambling, but he can take off and run for gains if the situation presents itself.
“Mac’s really impressive picking up the offense, and I think he’s executing really well,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “He needs to keep stacking days and getting better.”
PK Greg Joseph: The preseason games will have a lot to do with seeing if he can unseat Jake Moody. It’s been a close competition so far. If it’s close, expect Moody to prevail.
P Thomas Morstead, LS Jon Weeks: Roster locks imported by special teams Brant Boyer to replace Mitch Wishnowsky and Taybor Pepper.
CB Tre Brown: Four-year vet played 39 games in Seattle with 13 starts and could be in line to start depending on the help of Renardo Green, presently out with a hamstring injury. Has been solid in the early going.
LB Chaz Suratt: Spent the last two years as a core special teams player with the Jets under Boyer.
S Richie Grant: Was a mainstay at safety in 2022-23 for Atlanta but did most of his work on special teams in 2024. Has gotten time with first-team defense early on.
CB Siran Neal: Has played 2,086 snaps on special teams and 625 snaps on defense in 114 games with Buffalo and Miami, which gives an idea of why he’s on the roster.
CB Eli Apple: Just joined the 49ers after a hamstring strain to projected starter Renardo Green. Former first-round pick has played for the Giants, Saints, Panthers, Bengals, Dolphins and Chargers previously.
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DE Jaylon Allen: Excelled in the UFL and had an impressive first practice Tuesday, at one point blowing up a running play by shedding an edge blocking attempt. College teammate of Bryce Huff.
T Andre Dillard: Free agent has played with 69 games with 19 starts for Philadelphia, Tennessee and Green Bay and has dealt with injury issues. Is currently on the active/physically unable to perform list and the 49ers haven’t given a timetable on his return.
