On the same day the San Francisco 49ers lost a starting outside linebacker -- Ahmad Brooks returned to California having been charged with misdemeanor sexual battery -- they also regained the services of a starting inside linebacker against live competition.
Michael Wilhoite's return might have bolstered the interior of the 49ers' 3-4 defense, but not even Wilhoite, who was added to the active roster on Tuesday, was happy with his first appearance against different colored jerseys. Even if he did join NaVorro Bowman inside for the joint practice with the Denver Broncos in Colorado.
"Not as good as I want," he told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. "Just want to shake the rust off, get my mind back into the flow of the game."
Wilhoite, who started 16 games last season for the first time in his career, said he strained a calf muscle "a week and a day" before the 49ers reported to camp on July 31.
That makes Thursday five weeks to the day since he injured himself, time that gave Nick Moody the opportunity to run with the first-team defense.
"Listen, everybody’s competing," said coach Jim Tomsula. "Michael’s just gotten back, so I don’t want to get into any comparisons on anything. But, Michael, what I know and what ... I’ve been watching on tape, Michael needed to go right back to where he was and Michael needed to be playing."
Wilhoite was also with the first-team defense in Tuesday’s short practice in Santa Clara, before the 49ers departed for Denver.
"It looks like he’s running pretty well, you know what I mean?" Tomsula said. "And Michael’s a smart player, so assignment-wise, there is always a little clean-up when you come back."
His 87 tackles were the second-most on the team last season, behind Chris Borland's 107 stops. Plus, Wilhoite had his first two career interceptions and forced fumble.
But that was last season, and scrimmaging against the Broncos in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts is the first step back.
"Mentally, I’m good, but mentally matching up with the physical part is the tough part, putting my eyes and feet in the right place," Wilhoite said. "My eyes are not seeing as much as I want, or they’re seeing too much and my feet aren’t moving with them. My body’s not moving with the way I’m seeing everything. So it’s just (a matter of) putting it all together.
"Today was kind of tough ... putting myself in position. But that will come. That comes with reps, with time."
