Training camp injuries always shake loose a few roster battles, and the 49ers are already seeing that play out with three names creating real openings.
Christian Kirk’s calf injury has kept him out of the first two practices, and that absence is giving De’Zhaun Stribling a chance to grab a bigger role early. Kirk, now in his ninth NFL season, has seen his production slide from 787 yards in 2023 to 378 in 2024 and 239 last year.
His contract also would not stand in the way if the 49ers decided to move on before the season. For now, the missed time is simply giving others a runway.
Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, and Jordan Watkins can all benefit too.
Lowe’s situation may be even more consequential. He is dealing with a high-ankle sprain and is expected to miss some time, with the kind of injury that can linger for multiple weeks.
That opens the door for Austen Plesants and Enrique Cruz to get meaningful reps, and Cruz stands out as the most important of the group as a fifth-round rookie. Lowe does have enough guaranteed money that a release seems unlikely, but Cruz’s work could influence whether the team is comfortable keeping Lowe on the PUP through the start of the regular season.
If Cruz struggles, the 49ers may want Lowe back sooner.
Then there is Halton, who bruised his knee on the first day of practice. The injury should not cost him significant time, but it still matters because rookies need every snap they can get early in camp.
The 49ers already signed Kevin Givens, who has a track record as dependable depth, so he may be more than a camp body and could land on the active roster. Halton’s missed reps also create more room for Sebastian Valdez, rookie UDFA Bryson Eason, and Jams Thompson.
In a camp like this, even a small setback can shuffle the whole pecking order.
In Other News...
George Kittle's Status Just Became A Serious 49ers Problem
George Kittles latest setback leaves the 49ers trying to patch one of the most important spots on the roster after he was hurt in a recent game and had to exit after already turning in another productive afternoon. Before leaving, he had four catches, 25 yards and a touchdown, a reminder of how quickly he can change a game for San Francisco when he is on the field.
The immediate burden now falls on the depth chart, and the 49ers are expected to elevate Brayden Willis from the practice squad to help cover the tight end group. It is a familiar sort of test for Kyle Shanahans offense, which leans heavily on Kittles versatility and production, and now has to find a way to keep that part of the attack moving while waiting for his eventual return. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Already Have A De'Zhaun Stribling Problem They Feared
DeZhaun Stribling is already drawing attention in 49ers camp, and not just because San Francisco took him in the top of the second round after a draft slot that raised a few eyebrows around the league. The rookie wideout has the kind of size and frame that can get a team dreaming big, but his path to carving out a role is going to depend on how quickly he turns those traits into polished NFL route running.
Striblings college rsum suggests there is still plenty of development ahead, since he never topped 1,000 receiving yards in a season and had only one 100-yard game at Ole Miss. That is why the early reps matter so much for him, and why every practice clip gets extra scrutiny as he tries to show he can clean up the details and justify the investment San Francisco made. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Have Quietly Found A Crucial Offensive Line Answer
The 49ers added another layer to their offensive line mix by signing Brett Toth to a one-year deal, a move that gives them a player with real flexibility as camp approaches. Toth has worked at multiple spots up front, and that kind of versatility matters for a team that is always trying to protect itself against the wear and tear of a long season.
Where he fits will be sorted out in training camp and the preseason, but the possibilities are clear enough: he can battle for work at left guard, provide swing tackle depth, or serve as a backup center option. For San Francisco, the appeal is obvious. A lineman who can cover several jobs gives the coaching staff more ways to build the 53-man roster, even if the exact answer is still waiting to be revealed. [Read more 🡒]