Wide receiver Michael Crabtree wasn’t the only 49ers player to return to practice on Thursday after missing time with an injury.
He wasn’t even close. The 49ers had a slew of players healthy enough to resume their training camp work or, in the case of defensive end Justin Smith, make their first appearance of the summer. Smith has been recovering from shoulder surgery and announced his return by winning a battle on the line and dropping running back Carlos Hyde in the backfield.
Also back to work was running back LaMichael James, who was thought to be out for the preseason after dislocating his elbow. James was in a non-contact jersey, but fielded punts and caught passes during 11-on-11 drills in his first practice since late July.
Defensive tackles Ray McDonald and Ian Williams joined Smith on the defensive line while wide receiver Brandon Lloyd made it two wideouts to reintegrate into the offensive mix. Tight end Vance McDonald and cornerback Tramaine Brock rounded out the group of the newly healthy in Santa Clara, leaving the 49ers pretty close to full strength for the first time in a while.