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SANTA CLARA — Arik Armstead’s latest injury is a “significant” hamstring pull, and while that’s sidelined him only four practices into 49ers training camp, it’s opened the door for surprise rookie Jullian Taylor to further impress coaches.

“He’s got size, he’s got power and he’s been playing real well,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday of Taylor. “So, we were going to do that anyway: give him a chance, because he’s earned it by some of the reps he’s doing. It made it easy with what happened to Arik.”

Armstead’s prognosis is “week to week.” He ended the last two seasons on injured reserve (torn shoulder labrum, fractured hand) and missed 18 of the past 24 games. Three months ago, the 49ers picked up his fifth-year option for 2019 at over $9 million.

Taylor’s insertion to the first-string defense at the “big end” spot was a bit surprising — he leapfrogged Ronald Blair — and he handled himself well. “I was, of course, nervous, but it was more of an honor to do that for the organization,” Taylor said. “I think I did pretty well, with some rookie mistakes.”

The 49ers drafted Taylor in the seventh round (No. 223 overall) out of Temple, where he played only one full season (20 games in five years). He only played one year of high school ball in New Jersey. “I did what I had to do my senior year and I’m grateful for the 49ers drafting me to show my potential to the world,” said Taylor, noting that veteran Earl Mitchell is helping him immensely with technique.

A year ago, the 49ers used a seventh-round pick on another prospect with a limited college film: Adrian Colbert, who opened his rookie camp as a cornerback before evolving into the starting free safety by year’s end.

Is Taylor this year’s Colbert-type success story? “I didn’t come in and say I’m going to be the next Adrian Colbert, but big-ups to him for getting a starting spot,” Taylor answered. “I’m here to just pave my own way.”

Here are nine other items from Niners camp:

1. Dominant pass rush?: Taylor’s first-string debut was enhanced by DeForest Buckner’s dominance in only his third camp. Also, pass rushers Jeremiah Attaochu and Cassius Marsh are showing their speed, and 2017 top pick Solomon Thomas has had strong bursts into the backfield.

Shanahan confirmed the pass rush has excelled the past two practices after a sluggish debut Saturday. As for Buckner’s improvement, he added: “He’s taken huge steps forward this year, watching how he moves and his different pass rushes with different tools to use. He has what he was born with: size and power, and that’s where it starts.” Buckner could emerge as the 49ers’ best edge rusher, even though his base-defense spot is on the interior.

2. Bucs model: Thomas said the 49ers defensive front is “as close as it’s ever been, as high as it’s ever been,” and their camaraderie is something they’re trying to mimic from the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl-winning defense that included John Lynch. “It’s more of seeing how they rush together and how their chemistry was perfect,” said Thomas, who played hurt Tuesday after someone stepped on his left foot.

3. Garoppolo picked: It took 58 passes for Jimmy Garoppolo to have a pass intercepted in team drills this camp, and that theft came Tuesday when Adrian Colbert nabbed a pass over the middle intended for Marquise Goodwin and returned it for a would-be, 75-yard touchdown.

Shanahan said the 49ers tinkered with that play-action rep by moving Pierre Garcon into a different spot. “The one time we did it, Colbert didn’t back up, made a great key,” Shanahan said. “He was flat-footed because of the run fake — then shot his guns, made the catch and got a pick-six, so it was a helluva play by him.”

Garoppolo, pressured repeatedly Tuesday, still went 14-of-17 and is now 41-of-58 in full-team drills. He fared best in a red-zone drill when targeting running backs Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida.

4. Sherman revisited: Beat by Marquise Goodwin to open Sunday’s drills, Richard Sherman bounced back Tuesday with an interception covering Pierre Garcon in one-on-ones. As for Sunday’s video, Shanahan replayed it to the team as a lesson, without disparaging Sherman’s effort.

“He used that as a coaching point,” fullback Kyle Juszczyk said. “He didn’t get up there and bash on Sherman, like ‘We paid you this much and you give us that?’ It was nothing like that. He actually complimented him, because it was his very first rep in one-on-ones since he was injured, he was aggressive and didn’t hesitate. I tried to take that into my one-on-ones and be aggressive.”

5. Foster dinged: Linebacker Reuben Foster, who battled an assortment of injuries last year as a rookie, dinged his right quadriceps early in Tuesday’s session but practiced through the pain. He got hurt when colliding on a spin move with Juszczyk in a pass-protection drill. “With Charley horses and stuff, guys get banged in their quads a lot. Nothing too concerning,” Shanahan said.

6. Health watch: Wide receiver Trent Taylor (back), guard Jonathan Cooper (knee), safety Marcell Harris (Achilles) and linebackers Malcolm Smith (heel) and Dekoda Watson (calf) came off injury lists and participated in position drills but no full-team action. Also out for team drills, after tightening up in warmups, were defensive back Jimmie Ward and linebacker Brock Coyle.

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7. Guard competition: Joshua Garnett (knee) missed his second straight practice and is “day to day.” With Cooper yet to enter team drills, Mike Person remained the starter at right guard, and J.P. Flynn was his backup.

Could Person seize the starting job the way Brandon Fusco did a year ago as an unheralded signing? Person played under Shanahan with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015. “He’s familiar with the system, was versatile and was best of the (May tryouts),” Shanahan said.

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The Deets: Kyle Shanahan will have to prove he’s a genius against the Giants 8. Tight end move: Cole Hikutini’s impressive camp is on hold after a groin injury, which will keep him out this week. The 49ers thus signed tight end Wes Saxton, who produced a touchdown catch in red-zone drills.

9. Juszczyk on RBs: Juszczyk figures to be lead blocking a lot for McKinnon, who he helped recruit in free agency. Juszczyk has “a soft spot for a multi-faceted guy” and says McKinnon sets up blocks well. As for backup Breida, Juszczyk raved about how he’s become more decisive and better balanced as a rusher.