George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey startle 49ers training camp

SANTA CLARA — It was a novel scene, one not seen in almost a month of training camp.On one end of the 49ers’ practice field in the shadow of Levi’s Stadium, a player in full pads, with flowing blond hair and a white No.85 jersey went through individual blocking drills.

On the far end of the field, a speedy guy wearing No.23 sprinted at full speed, cutting on a dime.In some ways, the 49ers’ final session before they begin their dress rehearsal for the regular season was the first one that really mattered.That’s because it was the first one involving Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.“It just changes things,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said.

“You’ve got two Hall of Fame-caliber players out there who are back out there getting their work in.They practice at a high standard, and they lift everybody up.

So it definitely changes your energy a little bit.”The regular-season opener against the Rams is still more than two weeks away, but it’s going to feel a lot faster.The 49ers leave for Melbourne on Sept.

2, and they must set their 53-man roster three days before that.Good thing then that they seem to be checking off boxes daily.It would have been especially invigorating for Kubiak to get the two playmakers back, except he didn’t get the chance to dial up any plays.

Coach Kyle Shanahan recently resumed those duties, which is just about his final step to fully recovering from last month’s car crash.“Kind of how it normally is during training camp,” Kubiak said.“Very much normal out there.

He’s back behind the huddle, calling [out] plays for the quarterback and the action.”Shanahan barking out plays.Kittle’s magnificent hair drenched in sweat.

McCaffrey streaking upfield.It was like the director finally shouted “Action!” and the stand-ins scurried off the set.And it couldn’t have come at a better time.Kittle, who tore his Achilles in January, was still optimistic about his chances of being able to play Week 1 whe...