49ers camp summary (816): Offense ends on high note

Summary: Quarterback Alex Smith began Thursday's practice on another hot streak. His only incompletion among his first 15 pass attempts in the 7-on-7 and team portions coming when fullback Bruce Miller dropped a pass that hit him between the numbers.The 49ers had their final full practice before leaving Friday for an exhibition game against the Houston Texans. There were periods in which the first-team offense and defense worked against scout teams. The 49ers had music -- including ACDC's "Back in Black" -- blaring on the practice field to get the offense some work in noisy conditions. And when it was "49ers vs. 49ers," the offense took strides toward evening the score after the defense dominated early in camp.Injury report: Cornerback Perrish Cox rehabbed an apparent leg injury on a side field and did not practice. . . Outside linebacker Aldon Smith (bruised right hip) was spotted without crutches for the first time since sustaining his injury last Friday against the Minnesota Vikings. Smith has now missed five practices. Smith watched the final portion of practice from the sideline. . . Outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks (left knee) and tight end Delanie Walker (right knee) both missed their fourth consecutive days of practice. . . Rookie linebacker Cam Johnson missed his fifth consecutive practice. He underwent offseason knee surgery. . . Receiver Joe Hastings missed his 13th practice day with a right hamstring strain. . . Running back Jewel Hampton (left foot) is on the non-football injury list, while outside linebacker Darius Fleming (left knee) is on the physically-unable-to-perform list.Transaction report: The 49ers waivedinjured tight end Nate Byham, a sixth-round pick in 2010. He missed all of last season after sustaining a torn ACL. He did not suit up for Friday's exhibition opener. In the likely event Byham clears waivers, he will revert back to the 49ers' injured reserve list.Offensive play of the day: In a first-team vs. first-team drive situation, the offense was given the ball at the 40-yard line. It took Smith and tight end Vernon Davis all of one play to get into the end zone. Linebacker Patrick Willis had coverage on Davis, who ran a deep corner route, caught Smith's perfect throw in stride and took it the rest of the way for the touchdown.Offensive play of the day II: Shortly after the Smith-to-Davis pass, Josh Johnson had a similar result. It took him four plays, but Johnson connected on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Chris Owusu against the coverage of safety Trenton Robinson for a touchdown.Veteran move: Wily wide receiver Randy Moss ran a deep sideline route against undrafted rookie Anthony Mosley. As Smith's pass was in the air, Moss never broke stride, nor did he give Mosley any clues that the ball was en route. Moss let the ball drop softly into his hands before Mosley could react.Rookie report: Undrafted rookie receiver Brian Tyms caught touchdown passes of 12 and 7 yards within a three-play period from quarterbacks Johnson and Scott Tolzien.Tying up loose ends: On Wednesday, cornerback Carlos Rogers ranked Michael Crabtree's hands among the best in the league. He mentioned Crabtree in the same glowing terms as Arizona Cardinals All-Pro Larry Fitzgerald. On Thursday, Crabtree dropped would-be touchdown passes from Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith in red-zone drills.Notable: Newly signed outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis is going through the acclimation process and will be eligible to play in Saturday's exhibition game. "Will he play? We'll see," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. . . New tight end Joe Sawyer has made a good first impression and might get some action Saturday. "So far, he moves around and looks the part out there," Harbaugh said. "He catches the ball and runs like a guy who belongs at this level." . . . Harbaugh said he expects running back Frank Gore, receiver Mario Manningham and defensive lineman Justin Smith to see action against the Texans. Each of those players was held out of the 49ers' exhibition opener.
Next practice: The 49ers have a one-hour "mock game" scheduled for Friday. The club will then depart for Houston. They will not have any more practices open to the media throughout training camp or the regular season.