SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Sorry, Momma Miller. Von cannot complain.
Opposing offenses will chip him. Offensive linemen will even hold him as they grasp for any way to slow him. Because rarely can they stop Von Miller.
“My mom, she always says, ‘Boy, why don’t you go to the refs and tell them that they’re holding.’ And I’m like, ‘Mom I cannot do that, that’s just not part of the game,'” Miller said. “That’s more of a soccer or basketball thing, where you get in a relationship with the refs and you complain. I just try to go out there and I just try to be great. If I’m worried about the guy holding me, then he’s getting the best of me. I just try to go out there and control what I can control and be dominant and consistent. It’s been working for me for seven years now. So, sorry momma, I’m not going to complain to the refs; that’s part of the game.”
Injury updates
Receiver Cody Latimer (sore knee) and outside linebacker DeMarcus Walker (hip) traveled with the team to Santa Clara but did not practice, both missing their second consecutive workout. Walker, according to an NFL source, is scheduled to undergo another MRI on his hip.
Receiver Emmanuel Sanders was pulled from practice early as a precaution when he fell on his shoulder. Head coach Vance Joseph said Sanders is fine but “a little sore” and the team is “just being smart” with him.
Defensive ends Jared Crick (back) and Derek Wolfe (ankle), as well as safety T.J. Ward (hamstring), outside linebackers Shane Ray (wrist) and Shaquil Barrett (hip), running backs Devontae Booker (wrist) and Bernard Pierce (hamstring) and receiver Carlos Henderson (thumb) all stayed in Colorado to continue their rehab.
O-line moves
Veteran lineman Allen Barbre, who was acquired in a trade earlier in training camp, received more reps with the first-team offense at left guard. Connor McGovern, a second-year player who has filled in at center and guard this season, also received first-team reps and continues to vie for additional playing time this year.
Joseph said he’s not sure if Barbre will start with the first-team offensive line in Saturday’s preseason game, but his arrival put pressure on Garcia. The offensive line continues to be shuffled in practices and walkthroughs as Joseph’s staff searches for their starting five and players who can swing to multiple positions.
“We’ve got four or five guys at the guard spot working to be a starter,” Joseph said.
John Lynch talks protests
49ers general manager John Lynch was asked after Wednesday’s practice for his take on protests during the national anthem.
“I’ve got my own feelings about it and I think my strongest feeling — we had a great deal the other day where we had four chairs up there and there was Steve Young and Jerry Rice and they talked about ‘The 49er Way’ and I always thought it’s one of the great things about this league — in fact, I think it’s a great beacon for the rest of culture, in terms of the way it should be,” he said. “You strive for a common goal and you have unity. I think this game brings people together. I think partially when I see that I think that’s divisive, and I understand guys see things and they’re not happy. And they have that right and I think we’ll always respect people’s rights. That doesn’t mean I believe that. I believe that this game should actually be celebrated for what it is. I think it’s a tremendous unifier for our country and for the way things should be.
“Bill Walsh used to speak about it. You take guys from all over the country and different socioeconomic backgrounds, different racial backgrounds and you have friends for life. Warren Sapp is here today working with our defensive line because he’s a buddy of mine and always will be. So those types of stories get lost in something like this, but they have their reasons and we’ll always be respectful of those.”