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SANTA CLARA – Brock Purdy and the 49ers got just what they needed out of Tuesday’s joint practice with the Tennessee Titans: a chance to thrive in a chaotic environment. Training camp practices don’t typically replicate that. Out-of-town enemies, however, amp up the energy. Next month, before 100,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, the 49ers will open the season against their storied rivals and this season’s Super Bowl favorites, the Los Angeles Rams. The Titans, all due respect to first-year coach Robert Saleh, made for a simple sparring partner. The 49ers’ defenders took that literally as they got into three scuffles in the opening six plays. Meanwhile, on the neighboring field, Purdy had finished his initial reps by the time the 49ers’ offense, particularly guards Robert Jones and Dominick Puni, got into a scrum with the Titans. “At one point, we had a little scuffle going (on offense), and I look at the other field and they’re scuffling,” Purdy said. “I’m sitting back there with Christian McCaffrey like, ‘Dude …’” Purdy is a lovely passer, not a cage fighter. So once the obligatory scuffles subsided, he morphed into regular-season form — a good sign considering he’ll likely sit with most other starters in Thursday’s preseason opener against the Titans. Purdy threw to his spots. He escaped pressure up the middle. He bought time on the move. He even ran for the goal line, and most importantly, avoided contact en route. He also lived up to the “Layer King” nickname recently bestowed by 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, for Purdy’s ability to feather an intermediate pass over defenders’ outstretched arms. “Our quarterbacks coach, Mick Lombardi, doesn’t like that word, ‘layered,’ because he thinks everything should be driven,” Purdy said. “Throw an appropriate ball.” Still, Purdy showcased that layering skill with an over-the-middle pass that hit rookie De’Zhaun Stribling in stride for a potential 50-yard, catch-and-run touchdown. On the very next snap, Purdy layered a pass over linebacker Cody Barton and into tight end Jake Tonges’ hands. “It’s cool Raheem notices that. I guess it’s part of my game,” Purdy added. “I like to feel I can make any throw.” Added Saleh, the 49ers’ former defensive coordinator: “He layers the ball as good as anybody in football, with elite processing ability and he’s very accurate.” Fred Warner, already back in his All-Pro form after last season’s ankle fracture, has seen ample of Purdy’s passing touch, be it in this camp or practices dating to 2022. “I’m not going to see a better guy at doing that than Brock Purdy going into the season,” Warner said. “… I’m still waiting for that one to beautifully land in my fingertips. He’s making me work for it. He’s one of the best. He’s the best, in my mind.” Purdy showed various velocities on touchdown throws that found Demarcus Robinson (twice) and Luke Farrell. “Brock’s a really good player so I expect him to have good plays, so I notice all the bad plays. And I didn’t notice many bad plays today,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “So I think he had a hell of a day.” BOSA TENDINITIS Nick Bosa is dealing with tendinitis in his ACL-repaired right knee and is week-to-week. “It’s a pretty normal thing with ACLs,” Shanahan said. “We’ve got to be smart here and it’ll be week to week, but no concerns about it being more than that.” EVANS IS BACK Wide receiver Mike Evans returned from a week’s absence and showed no hindrance from a quadriceps strain. He mostly stayed out of full-team drills and did not have a target. STARTING BACKFIELD McCaffrey sat out a second straight practice with unspecified tightness, but he watched in workout clothes after emerging from the weight room. Also spotted at practice but still out of action was fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who fractured a finger last week and wore a splint over multiple fingers on his right hand. Although the 49ers looked at three free agent running backs Monday, none were signed. FULL-CONTACT SAMUEL Deebo Samuel slammed off multiple defenders at the goal line for an apparent touchdown and he banged hard into cornerback Cor’Dale Flott on a sideline catch. “He’s doing the same stuff he always does. He’s a very dense human being, a very hard tackle,” Saleh said. “I told him I’m glad he came back, because Kyle and his staff are unique in that they can maximize who he is and all he’s capable.” KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYS Ji’Ayir Brown had a pick-six against Cam Ward and Jakob Robinson intercepted Will Levis. But the tone-setting play on defense came early when Renardo Green hit Wan’Dale Robinson near the sideline. The Titans ejected offensive tackles Dan Moore Jr. and Austin Deculus for separate fights with 49ers defenders Osa Odighizuwa and Tatum Bethune. LEFT GUARD BATTLE While the left guard competition remains open, Jones has been on the first string for over a week since replacing Connor Colby, and Jones stood out with an aggressive, mauling nature against the Titans. “There definitely is a battle there and it’s open for anybody,” Shanahan said, noting he’d “love to get” Carver Willis, a fourth-round pick in the mix, too. Willis missed time last week with a concussion.