SANTA CLARA — One 49ers preseason game to go, this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. against the Los Angeles Chargers. An intial 53-man roster is due Tuesday, straight from the desk of general manager John Lynch.
Injury designations and other unexpected twists are sure to come. But let’s cut to the chase and workshop these 49ers amid a constant stream of newcomers to camp (* denotes starter):
QUARTERBACK (2)
*Brock Purdy
Mac Jones
In the mix: Carter Bradley, Tanner Mordecai
Non-football-injury list: Kurtis Rourke
Analysis: Kyle Shanahan should sit Purdy for Saturday’s finale against the visiting Chargers, rather than risk injury behind a makeshift line and patchwork receivers. Jones, after spraining his knee in Saturday’s win at Las Vegas, appeared in a good mood as he watched Thursday’s practice and should be available Week 1 in Seattle, if needed. QB3 can be available in reserve off the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4)
*Christian McCaffrey
*Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
Isaac Guerendo
Jordan James
In the mix: Jeff Wilson Jr., Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Injured reserve: Corey Kiner, Patrick Taylor Jr., Ameer Abdullah
Analysis: McCaffrey, in the credible words of Trent Williams, “looks fantastic. He looks like Offensive Player of Year Christian. That’s refreshing to see.” Guerendo is back from a dislocated shoulder (perhaps with a season-long harness). James is injured but working on the side – and essentially on scholarship onto the 53-man. Anemic depth will mean great exposure Saturday for Wilson and Vaughn. Kiner was not claimed off waivers and reverts to Injured Reserve.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
*Ricky Pearsall
*Jauan Jennings
Jordan Watkins
Skyy Moore
Robbie Chosen
Jacob Cowing
Physically Unable to Perform list: Brandon Aiyuk
Suspended (anticipated 3 games): Demarcus Robinson
In the mix: Russell Gage, Isaiah Hodgins, Junior Bergen, Terique Owens, Malik Knowles, Malik Turner.
Injured reserve: Equanimeous St. Brown, Trent Taylor
Analysis: Asked by the 49ers’ flagship radio station if this wide receiver unit could be his tenure’s best if all are available, Shanahan was as aghast as you, then said: “I mean, we’re far away from that right now. We have to get all those guys you mentioned back.” Then the 49ers traded for Chiefs 2022 second-rounder Skyy Moore, who’s more of a return specialist than a wide receiver savior. Aiyuk is likely on PUP until Week 6, Robinson is suspended at least the first three games, and Week 1 uncertainty shrouds Watkins (high-ankle sprain) and Cowing (hamstring). Chosen has stepped up as a leader who can still blaze down field, but perhaps the 49ers try sliding him through to the practice squad.
TIGHT END (3)
*George Kittle
Luke Farrell
Jake Tonges
In the mix: Brayden Willis
Analysis: Best camp of Kittle’s nine-year career, from a production and leadership perspective. Tonges has come on strong, as evident by the game-winning drive in Vegas and versatility to fill in at fullback. Willis has flashed, too, but the 49ers cut him after last year’s strong preseason so history could repeat.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Trent Williams
Ben Bartch
Jake Brendel
Dominick Puni
Colton McKivitz
Spencer Burford
Connor Colby
Nick Zakelj
Austen Pleasants
In the mix: Drew Moss, Isaiah Prince, Matt Hennessy, Michael Dunn, Drake Nugent
Suspended: Isaac Alarcon
Injured reserve: Andre DIllard
Analysis: The bet is both Bartch and Puni are the starting guards Week 1 as they cope with elbow and knee injuries, respectively. Hennessy’s service as the second-string center definitely could merit a roster spot but not in this mock roster. The 49ers may opt to save room for another team’s castoff to help at guard or swing tackle. Prince warrants a further look at tackle vs. Pleasants (see: Saturday’s finale).
DEFENSIVE LINE (11)
*Nick Bosa
*Mykel Williams
*Jordan Elliott
*Kalia Davis
Bryce Huff
Jonathan Garvin
Trevis Gipson
C.J. West
Alfred Collins
Sebastian Valez
Kevin Givens (short-term IR)
In the mix: Sam Okuayinonu, Robert Beal Jr., Evan Anderson, Jaylon Allen, William Bradley-King, Bruce Hector, Shakel Brown,
Injured reserve: Bradlee Anae, Tarron Jackson
Analysis: Bosa has steered clear of team drills the past couple of weeks but looks primed for double-digit sacks, especially if Huff pans out as a pass rusher (he impressed Thursday vs. Williams). The 49ers need rookies Mykel Williams and C.J. West back from knee injuries but realize they will learn on the fly whenever healthy. Elliott is playing as their stoutest defensive tackle, a position where questions make them susceptible against the run, again. Odds are they keep Okuayinonu over Gipson as an edge rusher.
LINEBACKER (5)
*Fred Warner
*Dee Winters
*Tatum Bethune
Nick Martin
Luke Gifford
In the mix: Curtis Robinson, Chazz Surratt, Jalen Graham, Stone Blanton
Analysis: Warner got heated in Thursday’s practice and had to be escorted to the defensive sideline. So, yes, All-Pro Fred is ready. His wingman? Dee Winters held down that first-string weak-side role all camp, but one wonders if Tatum Bethune could overtake Winters with a hard-hitting style and increased knowledge of the system. Which is more reliable to complement Warner? Martin’s stock is climbing after his dud of a preseason debut. Practice squad spots await a veteran or two.
CORNERBACK (6)
*Deommodore Lenoir
*Renardo Green
*Upton Stout
Dallis Flowers
Chase Lucas
Derrick Canteen
In the mix: Darrell Luter Jr., Fabian Moreau, Jakob Robinson
Injured reserve: Tre Brown, Tre Tomlinson
Analysis: Stout has been stashed for over a week with a calf injury, making Lucas their lone nickel (slot) defender. Lenoir could bump inside again if they must put Flowers on the outside with Green in Week 1. Lucas has been a preseason star, but that carries less weight than you think, so his job security is a mystery. Canteen is a wild card as an undrafted rookie who’s flashed on special teams, more so than Luter, while others may prefer another undrafted rookie in Robinson.
SAFETY (4)
*Marques Sigle
*Jason Pinnock
Ji’Ayir Brown
Siran Neal
In the mix: Richie Grant, Jaylen Mahoney
Analysis: Do they pair the veteran Pinnock with Sigle or Brown? Sigle is a rookie who’s impressed this preseason, and he might exemplify the defense’s youth movement. Neal is a versatile defensive back but more importantly is he got touted as a potential All-Pro special teams player by coordinator Brant Boyer.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Jake Moody
Thomas Morstead
Jon Weeks
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