ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The 49ers’ defense followed up a dominating day on the practice field back in Santa Clara with a clear victory in a joint workout Friday against the Denver Broncos.
The 49ers did not have as many interceptions during team drills – unlike their five-pick day against Jimmy Garoppolo two days earlier – but the defense repeatedly made it difficult for quarterback Joe Flacco and the Broncos' offense.
Free safety Tarvarius Moore recorded an interception, and several other 49ers broke up passes, including Richard Sherman. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner had an impressive day as a pass-rusher.
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“We got our hands on a few, we should’ve caught a few, but I think the defense is taking a step forward this year,” 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said.
Sherman was quick to point out that the defense deserved credit for Garoppolo’s bad day on the practice field earlier this week. After all, Garoppolo had thrown fewer interceptions than any of the other 49ers quarterbacks despite attempting at least two times more passes.
“I think it was less about Jimmy and having a bad day and more about us executing as a team,” said Sherman, adding he believes the defense is light years ahead of where it was a year ago.
Offensive play of the Day
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Marquise Goodwin had a good day with four receptions during 11-on-11 drills, including a catch from Garoppolo on a deep post pattern to split the safeties in the Broncos defense.
Defensive plays of the Day
Moore recorded his third interception of the past two practices when he intercepted a Flacco pass intended for Emmanuel Sanders deep over the middle.
Injury report
Running back Matt Breida was shaken up during a blitz pickup drill and did not return to practice to take part in any of the 11-on-11 drills. Breida appeared to sustain an upper-body injury, possibly a shoulder stinger.
Offensive lineman Mike Person was seen following practice on crutches and in a walking boot. He participated in practice, and there was no immediate word from the 49ers how the injury occurred or its severity.
The 49ers sat out the following players due to injuries: Running back Raheem Mostert (concussion), tight ends George Kittle (calf) and Levine Toilolo (shoulder), guard Joshua Garnett (finger), wide receiver Trent Taylor (foot), defensive linemen Nick Bosa (ankle), Dee Ford (knee), Ronald Blair (groin), Jullian Taylor (back), D.J. Jones (knee), linebacker Elijah Lee (thumb), cornerbacks Jason Verrett (ankle) and K’Waun Williams (knee) and free safety Jimmie Ward (collarbone).
Comings and goings
The 49ers signed three-year veteran cornerback Quinten Rollins, who wore No. 30 during practice and waived Greg Mabin, the team announced Friday.
Mabin sustained a calf injury in practice Wednesday, and could be a candidtate for injured reserve.
Rollins entered the NFL in 2015 as a second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers. He appeared in 33 games in three seasons and recorded 91 tackles, 16 passes defensed and three interceptions.
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This ‘n’ That
-- Garoppolo threw an interception on a pass intended for Goodwin. Edge rusher Von Miller got pressure on Garoppolo, who appeared as if he could not step into his throw. Garoppolo left his pass short. Safety Justin Simmons recorded the interception.
-- Running back Jeff Wilson took advantage of the extended work he got with Breida sidelined to show he is back to full strength after missing a couple of weeks with a calf strain ...
-- Dante Pettis saw a big-play opportunity slip away when he had a step on Broncos cornerback Linden Stephens but he could not haul in C.J. Beathard’s pass on a deep post pattern despite getting both hands on it ...
-- Denver running back Phillip Lindsay did not have much room to run against the 49ers’ front seven. That even carried over to the passing game, where Arik Armstead sniffed out a screen and would have thrown Lindsay for a loss ...
Next up
The 49ers and Broncos will return to practice Saturday morning. The teams will meet Monday night in a preseason game.