SAN FRANCISCO -- Because of space limitations at the SAP Performance Center in Santa Clara, California, the San Francisco 49ers don't get many chances to practice in front of their fans during training camp. In the past, they've held practices at Levi's Stadium or tried to fit the square peg in the round hole at the training facility.

But this year, when the team wanted to give the faithful an opportunity to watch a workout, they took the show on the road and got back to their roots. The 49ers practiced Wednesday at picturesque Kezar Stadium in a corner of the city's Golden Gate Park. Kezar was the team's home stadium from 1946 to 1970 before the 49ers moved to Candlestick Park in 1971.

“I just think it’s cool," coach Chip Kelly said. "The tradition at this franchise is unbelievable. The fact that they’ve won five Super Bowls, they’ve got six NFC championships, they’ve won 20 or so divisions and this is the roots of it, it started here. I got a chance to spend some time with [former 49ers linebacker] Dave Wilcox in the springtime. I knew him from when I was at Oregon and he spoke so fondly about playing here and what it was like. So, I think our guys are jacked up about it. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Neither Blaine Gabbert, front, nor Colin Kaepernick looked all that sharp in the 49ers' return to their old Kezar Stadium haunts. AP Photo/Ben Margot

The team distributed 9,000 free tickets and went through a normal practice, albeit without full pads. The fans in attendance were happy to see their favorite team but weren't exactly treated to a strong performance, especially from the offense.

Quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick struggled to find any rhythm after posting solid performances in Tuesday's practice.

Kaepernick, in particular, couldn't find any traction after what might have been his best performance of camp Tuesday. In one sequence during 7-on-7 drills, Kaepernick threw two passes away, then badly misfired on two more for four consecutive incompletions. He also mishandled a snap in the red zone during team drills and completed just 3 of 8 during that period.

Gabbert didn't fare much better, though he got the benefit of a lucky bounce for the day's only 7-on-7 touchdown for either of the two quarterbacks vying for the starting job. On the pass, Gabbert fired a deep ball down the left sideline for receiver DeAndrew White. But the pass was underthrown and primed to be intercepted by cornerback Rashard Robinson, who failed to haul it in. The pass bounced off Robinson's hands and into White's for a touchdown. Otherwise, most of Gabbert's completions came on underneath attempts and checkdowns.

Kelly reiterated before practice that no decision on a starter will be made for Sunday's preseason opener against Houston until after the team completes the practice week Friday.

"We’ll wait until after Houston’s practice to evaluate everybody at every position because you don’t know where you’re going to be until you get there," Kelly said. "So, normal weeks you kind of understand what you’re going to get from a practice situation, but because we get that practice with Houston, we won’t do anything until after that practice.”

• Before Wednesday's session, Kelly indicated that defensive lineman Arik Armstead (arm/shoulder) would be back to full practice after he sat out a large chunk of Tuesday's workout. But Armstead was again kept out of team drills. The injury is not thought to be serious and the Niners are just remaining cautious with their second-year defensive lineman.

• For the second consecutive day, rookie guard Joshua Garnett worked on the left side after having spent the previous portion of camp on the right. Kelly offered some insight into the move.

"We’re just trying to move our guys around," Kelly said. "A lot of guys got moved around yesterday and [offensive-line coach Pat Flaherty] is just trying to find combinations where guys feel comfortable. Josh played on both sides in college. He seems to feel comfortable on both sides. So, just trying to figure out who’s who and where we’re going to be able to plug guys in.”

• Kaepernick didn't have a good day, but he still drew plenty of cheers from the fans before the workout. He spent some time throwing balls into a net before the workout began in an apparent attempt to loosen up. Kaepernick spent time with the training staff during Tuesday's practice having his arm stretched out.

• Punter Bradley Pinion was in fine form in Wednesday's practice, booming a series of punts more than 60 yards, including one that bounced and landed inside the 5-yard line. ... Returner Bruce Ellington got some groans from the fans when he mishandled one punt. ... Without Armstead available, the 49ers continue to work with different combinations on the defensive line, including some opportunities for rookie Ronald Blair.

• Offensive lineman Joe Staley was apparently a big fan of the Kezar Stadium tunnel.

"The tunnel is awesome," Staley said. "It was like old-school, 'Gladiator' style. It was really cool. I hope the photographers got some good pictures."

• The Niners are back to Santa Clara and back to their normal practice schedule Thursday when they reconvene at 10:25 a.m. PT.