NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Seahawks

49ers

• Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee confirms 49ers OLB Dekoda Watson sustained a strained calf injury during practice this week after initial fears were that he suffered a torn Achilles’ injury.
• Barrows notes that 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne has been “prolific in nearly every practice” this offseason.
• Regarding the inside linebacker position, Barrows mentions that Malcolm Smith and Reuben Foster have been lining up as the first-team rotation.

Cardinals

• Though Darren Urban of AzCardinals.com mentions that first-round QB Josh Rosen has impressed in offseason workouts, he still expects Sam Bradford to open the season as the team’s starting quarterback due to his accuracy, arm strength, and veteran status.
• Urban considers the Cardinals’ No. 2 receiver role is “wide open” between Chad Williams, J.J. Nelson, Brice Butler, Greg Little, and second-round Christian Kirk.
• Regarding Kirk, while Urban expects Kirk to have an “impactful role” this season, he says it’s impossible to predict whether he will be the No. 2 receiver right now.
• Urban notes that recently acquired Cardinals CB Jamar Taylor is well in position to be the team’s No. 2 cornerback opposite of Patrick Peterson.
• Cardinals’ fourth-round RB Chase Edmunds received first-team reps this week while David Johnson held out of minicamp this past week.

Seahawks

• According to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, there is “no update” regarding Seahawks S Earl Thomas‘ holdout.
• Meanwhile, HC Pete Carroll said Thursday that he has not spoken with Thomas: “Our guys are working. We are at work. They are busy.’’
• In Thomas’ absence, the Seahawks have rotated Bradley McDougal, Delano Hill, and Tedric Thompson at the safety positions.
• Though Carroll said there was no update on the career-threatening injuries of S Kam Chancellor (neck) and DT Malik McDowell (concussion), he added that rest of the Seahawks’ lineup is healthy: “It looks like everybody should have a chance to be healthy. We are counting on that.’’
• As for recently signed Seahawks WR Brandon Marshall‘s hamstring injury, Carroll said the team plans to bring him along slowly this offseason: “We’re just making sure that we don’t have a setback on a hamstring that’s recovering. We talked about it today – he’s got a solid six weeks, he’ll be well. We need to do a really good job as we re-introduce him back into our tempo and speed and all that, that we don’t overdo it early in the excitement to see what he can do and all.”
• The Seahawks expect OT George Fant (knee) and DE Dion Jordan (knee) to be ready for the start of training camp.
• Caroll mentioned first-round RB Rashaad Penny has been improving as a pass blocker: “That was something that was new for him and a demanding part of the game. We don’t have any hesitation that he is going to be fine in that area.’’