NFC Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks

Cardinals

• ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss lists right tackle as the biggest position battle on the team with veteran OT Marcus Gilbert opting out. His replacement will either be Justin Murray, Kelvin Beachum or third-rounder Josh Jones.
• Cardinals DL Zach Allen says he’s gained 15 pounds going into his second season. (Weinfuss)
• The Cardinals brought in WRs Aleva Hifo and Matt Sewell for workouts on Wednesday. (NFL Draft Diamonds)

49ers

• ESPN’s Nick Wagoner lists right guard as the biggest position battle on the team, with Tom Compton and Daniel Brunskill competing to start. 
• Per the Athletic’s Matt Barrows, former NFL defensive coach Jim Washburn, who is 49ers DL coach Kris Kocurek‘s mentor, said the scheme shift last year helped unleash DL Arik Armstead. San Francisco ended up keeping Armstead over DL DeForest Buckner this offseason: “He was a guy that they wanted to get rid of last year. They couldn’t wait to get him out of there. Kris begged them to keep him. And how’d that work out? He was made to attack and he had just been sitting there. It’s like you’d put a plow on a racehorse. You know, the racehorse doesn’t pull a plow.”
• Washburn believes 49ers reserve DT Kevin Givens is poised for a breakout in 2020: “Just put that (name) down somewhere and just see how he does. ‘Cause I tell you what — he’s got some real ability.  …  I mean, some of those guys would be starters for other teams.”
• Washburn added 2019 No. 2 overall DE Nick Bosa could be even better in his second season: “People don’t believe this but Bosa has got a long way to go. He’s got a lot of improvements to make, so that’s a good thing ’cause he’s already really good. I think he’s gonna be much better this year.”
• 49ers DE Dee Ford says he plans to participate in 11-on-11 drills during training camp and his goal is to be a full participant “all season.” (Wagoner)
• 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said he found out TE George Kittle‘s deal was essentially done on Wednesday: “We have been real excited about it. It’s something we have been working on for awhile. Always a tough deal. We finally got it done.” (Wagoner)
• The 49ers have officially promoted consultant Chris Foerster to offensive line coach. (Jennifer Lee Chan)
• 49ers’ offensive consultant and former NFL WR Miles Austin is no longer a member of the coaching staff. (Matt Maiocco)

Seahawks

• ESPN’s Brady Henderson lists linebacker as the biggest position battle on the team, as first-round LB Jordyn Brooks battles K.J. Wright and Bruce Irvin for playing time at either the weak or strong side. 
• Henderson notes with Seattle’s improved depth at linebacker, Shaquem Griffin is on the roster bubble. 
• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says the Seahawks still want to add a veteran pass rusher and have had some talks with LB Clay Matthews. 
• Rapoport doesn’t think the door can be entirely closed on Seattle bringing back DE Jadeveon Clowney until either the Seahawks sign a pass rusher or Clowney signs elsewhere.
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports the Seahawks cut UDFA CB Kemah Siverand after he was caught on video trying to sneak a woman into the team hotel. 
• Seahawks QB Russell Wilson said third-round G Damien Lewis has emerged as an early leader in the team’s rookie class. (John Boyle)
• Wilson indicated the current starting offensive line appears to be LT Duane Brown, G Mike Iupati, either B.J. Finney or Ethan Pocic at center, Lewis at right guard and RT Brandon Shell. (Boyle)
• Asked about the push from fans to “Let Russ Cook,” Wilson agreed that he would like to be more involved in games early on: “Let’s treat every quarter like the fourth quarter.” (Bob Condotta)
• Seahawks HC Pete Carroll mentioned that Seahawks RB Chris Carson did not attend Wednesday’s practice due to a family matter. (Michael-Shawn Dugar)
• Carroll said Seahawks WR John Ursua had a “false positive” COVID-19 screening. (Dugar)
• As for Seahawks CB Quinton Dunbar, who was recently removed from the commissioner’s exempt list, he’s going through the league’s testing protocol and could take a physical on Friday as the next step toward officially returning. (Condotta)