Josh Reed may have returned to practice Sunday night, but he was omnipresent on Monday afternoon making five receptions in practice including a diving stab during 7-on-7 red zone work.
Reed was getting consistent separation in the short to intermediate areas, which could be attributed to the fact that his legs are fresher than that of his defensive teammates after not practicing for 10 days. Either way Trent Edwards as enjoying it.
"I'm very, very happy with the progress that Josh has made this offseason," said Edwards. "I was happy with the way he practiced during OTAs and minicamps and he's progressed a ton since last year, so I'm excited for him this year."
Despite the fact that Reed played very effectively he admitted he's still not going at full throttle.
"I think I am a little hesitant just because I was out so long but I feel pretty good," said Reed. "It is almost like it really never bothered me. I know that I still have to watch it and just like it happened the first time, I know it can just flare up again."
Another receiver who continues to open eyes is Steve Johnson who unofficially had six catches on the day including one impressive series where he made three receptions in a row during 11-on-11 work on throws from J.P. Losman.
Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert and receiver coach Tyke Tolbert have not been shy about moving Johnson around in the formations as he's worked both outside and in the slot. Johnson is proving to be very versatile, but he's also feeling a bit worn out having never run as much as he has in his first NFL training camp.
"I feel like I've been running in my sleep," said Johnson smirking. "It's going to make me better though so I'm trying to have fun out here even though it's tiring."
Johnson has done well to take advantage of the extra reps he's been getting with the likes of Roscoe Parrish, Scott Mayle and James Hardy out of the lineup right now.
Coming from Kentucky we were always fighting for positions so I can say I'm somewhat used to it, but now there's more at stake," said Johnson. "Getting a few reps and then days like this when I'm getting a lot of reps. It varies, but you've got to stay focused and stay in the playbook because you never know when your name is going to be called."
Injury update
Not much has changed from Sunday as James Hardy, Scott Mayle and Roscoe Parrish all sat. Parrish has a sore knee.
Derek Schouman was not in attendance as he continues to recover from a knee injury that will keep him out of action for at least a couple of weeks.
Donte Whitner still has an excused absence.
Kennard Cox did okay at the start of practice coming off of his ankle injury, but could not finish.
Getting reps
The starting right defensive tackle position is still clearly up for grabs. Primarily it's been Kyle Williams and Spencer Johnson rotating in and out sometimes day by day with the first unit, but for the first time in a while John McCargo was given his shot with the ones.
With the pads off during the 11-on-11 portions of practice it's more difficult for the defensively linemen to truly make an impact, but it's clear that competition is far from over.
With Whitner still absent Bryan Scott continues to get starter reps at strong safety, and John Wendling moves up to second string.
At receiver with Parrish and Hardy out, Justin Jenkins, Felton Huggins and Steve Johnson benefited most in terms of reps.
Keith Ellison got third team reps at middle linebacker.
Highlights
Defensively there were a good number of hands on pass attempts in the afternoon session. Aaron Schobel got things started batting down a pass from Trent Edwards on the third play from scrimmage during team work.
Marshawn Lynch continues to look very quick in and out of his cuts as he appeared as elusive as ever on a handful of running plays.
Marcus Stroud had a 'would be' sack on Edwards before he could deliver the ball to Darian Barnes out of the backfield.
Derek Fine had a nice reception that went for first down yardage on a throw from J.P. Losman.
During the 7-on-7 red zone period Josh Reed factored in heavily making several receptions in tight spaces. His best effort was a diving grab toward the far sideline.
Donnie Spragan prevented a completion to Steve Johnson in the red zone as he pulled Johnson's arm away from the ball preventing him from cradling it in for a catch during red zone work.
Justin Jenkins had a touchdown reception as Losman hit him running across the back of the end zone.
Will James had an athletic pass breakup on an Edwards pass intended for Reed down the far sideline as he leaped high to tip the ball away.
Steve Johnson's best stretch came when during 11-on-11 work he made a falling catch along the far sideline. On the next play he had a good grab in traffic. One play later he also made a nice hands catch on a pass that was slightly behind him over the middle. All of those passes were thrown by Losman.
Lee Evans had a touchdown reception during red zone work from Edwards, while Terrence McGee broke up a pass attempt inside the five-yard line.
Felton Huggins made a sliding catch during a two-minute drill on a throw from Edwards.
Finally Chris Ellis made perhaps the defensive play of the day. With 10 seconds on the clock during a two minute drill segment J.P. Losman seeing good coverage elected to try to make a dash to the end zone heading toward the near sideline, but Ellis closed the space on him and tapped him out for a 'would be' tackle a couple of yards short of the goal line.
There was actually some debate about whether he would have been in or not between the offense and defense, but from this vantage point it would not have been easy for Losman to reach the end zone under live tackling conditions.
