49ers notes: It's no coincidence that Richard Sherman and Reuben Foster are locker neighbors

SANTA CLARA – Richard Sherman is 100 percent healthy and ready to make a contribution on the field for the 49ers.

But that is only part of the expectation for Sherman, whom the 49ers signed in March, one the day after the Seattle Seahawks released him. Sherman is also being counted upon to be a positive influence in the 49ers’ locker room.

It is surely no coincidence that his locker inside Levi's Stadium is situated next to second-year linebacker Reuben Foster’s stall. Sherman said he speaks regularly with Foster, who will serve a two-game suspension to open the regular season after violating the NFL’s policies on substances of abuse and personal conduct.

“Obviously, there have been some mistakes and some up and downs this offseason and last year,” Sherman said of Foster. “But just like everybody else, he’s a human being, and human beings make mistakes. But I think he’s growing from those mistakes and moving forward and he’s trying to be a better man.

“I don’t think you’ll hear much out of him in terms of the off-the-field issues in the future. I think everything you’ll hear about him will be on the field and it’ll be positive.”

Six open camp on sideline

Starting linebacker Malcolm Smith, who missed all of last season with a torn pectoral, will not be on the practice field when the 49ers open training camp on Thursday. He was placed on the non-football injury list with a lower-leg condition.

“Something popped up and we’re not concerned about it,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said. “We’ve gotten over that because we looked into it. But we feel like the prudent thing is to give him a couple days right at the start just to make sure he feels good and we feel good.”

Players who open camp on the non-football injury or physically unable to perform lists may be activated at any point once they are medically cleared to begin practicing. Smith was among six 49ers to be placed on one of the injury lists on reporting day.

Guard Jonathan Cooper, receiver Trent Taylor and linebacker Dekoda Watson were placed on PUP. The 49ers expect each player to be on the field in short order.

“We feel like each of them, they’ve been cleared,” Lynch said. “They’re out of their rehab. We feel like there needs to be some conditioning.”

Cooper, who will compete with Joshua Garnett for the starting job at right guard, is returning from a knee injury he sustained in the season finale while with the Dallas Cowboys.

Receiver Trent Taylor underwent an offseason procedure on his back. He did not participate in the team’s offseason program.

“We’re just being prudent there,” Lynch said. “We want him to not have his first contact be on the field. Get him pushed around a little on the side.”

Watson sustained a calf injury during organized team activities.

In addition to Smith, the 49ers placed two draft picks on the non-football injury list. Defensive lineman Kentavius Street and safety Marcell Harris are returning from significant surgeries. Street sustained a torn ACL in a pre-draft workout with the New York Giants. Harris did not play in 2017 due to a torn Achilles in fall camp.

Pettis signs rookie deal

Wide receiver Dante Pettis, a second-round pick, became the final player from the 49ers’ 2018 draft class to sign his mandatory four-year contract. He will be on the field Thursday when training camp begins. As outlined in the NFL’s draft-slotting system, Pettis will receive $6.4 million over four seasons, including a $2.7 million signing bonus.

Staley: Surprisingly, Sherman is not annoying

The longest-tenured member of the 49ers has been pleasantly surprised with Sherman, who spent his first seven NFL seasons as Public Enemy No. 1 of the 49ers and their fans.

Left tackle Joe Staley stood at the side of the podium while Sherman addressed the media. He acknowledged that Sherman was a tough act to follow.

“I love him,” Staley said. “He’s a great guy. (It’s) awesome to have him on our team. He’s been pretty much the exact opposite of what I thought. I thought he was going to be annoying like he was annoying to me when he was in a Seahawks uniform.”