It would have felt like déjà vu watching NaVorro Bowman back on a practice after a career-threatening injury, only this time he showed no significant hints of it.

Unlike in 2015 when Bowman initially wore a brace on his reconstructed knee, Wednesday’s sight featured him running without any extra support on the left Achilles he tore last October against the Dallas Cowboys.

Bowman roamed the non-contact session looking for the ball and nimbly racing to it. This was the media’s first chance to not only see him but also the 49ers as a whole under first-year coach Kyle Shanahan, who looked cool and composed as he relayed calls from his play sheet to the only two quarterbacks on his roster, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley.

Bowman showed no hesitation and it was tough to gauge whether he truly favored his left leg in his long-awaited return to practice.

Two weeks ago, Bowman said he had experienced no setbacks and was “looking forward to getting out there and showing what I have.”

While everyone is trying to acclimate to new roles in the new schemes, this was also a chance before this week’s draft to make initial on-field impressions for the 49ers brass, including new general manager John Lynch, who observed wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, as did Shanahan.

Although former Raiders and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith flanked Bowman on the starting unit, also in the vicinity was Eric Reid, who’s being converted from free safety to one who plays closer to the line of scrimmage. Both Reid and Bowman showed closing speed on ball carriers.

“Any accomplishments I’ve had before, none of that matter. I’m out to prove myself to get back to that level,” Bowman said April 10. “Guys are saying, ‘What are you on? How are you moving like this so early?’ I’ve put the work in and I thought God will bless me with a great season this year.”

Ray-Ray Armstrong, who tore a pectoral muscle in Week 2, was as energetic as ever on the second team along side Brock Coyle. Whenever one defender stopped a ball carrier, a swarm of defenders intentionally ran to the scene, too, as did some assistant coaches on seemingly every play.

— Center Tim Barnes, guard Kitt O’Brien and cornerback Steve Williams are trying out during the minicamp, which ends Thursday.