49ers reportedly lose rookie program time thanks to practice violation

One day after the 49ers canceled the remainder of their full-team offseason workout program, the NFL reportedly canceled the team’s last week of its rookie development program over a practice rules violation.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday that the league had stripped the team of some rookie training time because of an infraction that was caught on camera and shared on social media.

Pelissero did not specify what the violation was, but a few observers around the team surmised it stemmed from a clip of rookie cornerback Deommodore Lenoir playing bump-and-run technique before making an interception during a drill at a rookie workout last month.

The collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union stipulates that offseason workouts like the rookie camp cannot include live contact, and a note on the NFLPA website specifies bump-and-run coverage as one banned technique in the drills.

Several outlets posted video of Lenoir’s coverage, and the fifth-round pick retweeted the laudatory comments along with the footage of him apparently breaking camp rules.

#49ers rookie CB Deommodore Lenior putting the clamps on during the 1st day of practice #49ers || #FTTB pic.twitter.com/5Luxzqd8Q4

— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@Thesfniners_) May 15, 2021

Wednesday afternoon, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan canceled this week’s final two offseason team activities and next week’s mandatory minicamp, citing a condensed offseason calendar and strong attendance at the team’s voluntary workouts.

A practice earlier in the week saw season-ending injuries to key backups in safety Tarvaris Moore (torn Achilles) and offensive tackle Justin Skule (torn ACL).

Shanahan spoke Wednesday afternoon about the rookies staying around to continue work after the veterans leave Santa Clara, so it appears the penalty came as a surprise to the 49ers. While Shanahan has spoken positively about rookie quarterback Trey Lance’s performance throughout the offseason program, a few more days of work surely wouldn’t hurt as he prepares for his first NFL season.

With the back-to-back cancellations, the 49ers’ next team activity will be training camp beginning July 27.