Kyle Shanahan has already made it clear the 49ers aren’t going to push many starters in their preseason finale against the Raiders. That makes sense, especially with San Francisco already working through a pile of injuries. The real drama Thursday night belongs to the players hanging on the roster bubble, because this game could end up deciding who sticks around when the 53-man roster gets set.
For a handful of 49ers, one strong showing could be the difference between making it and getting cut. And if they come up short, the preseason finale might be remembered as the night their chances slipped away.
One name to watch is linebacker Deion Jones. San Francisco only brought him in recently, but there’s a natural connection there with coordinator Raheem Morris, who worked with Jones with the Atlanta Falcons.
The linebacker group is crowded behind Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, but injuries to backups Nick Martin and Luke Gifford, along with the fact that Warner and Greenlaw are both coming off injury-filled seasons, could give Jones a real path to staying on. If he shines against Las Vegas, he helps himself a lot.
Jordan Watkins is in a similar spot at wide receiver, only his case has been building for a while. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling has been the preseason standout at the position, but Watkins has quietly put together a strong camp and exhibition run of his own.
At one point, he looked like a real long shot in a crowded receiver room. Now he’s fighting for one of the final six or seven spots on Shanahan’s depth chart.
Jacob Cowing missing time with injury helps, but Watkins can make this thing even more secure with a third straight impressive preseason performance.
Safety Ashtyn Davis also has a chance to lock down his place. He came in late this offseason, but with San Francisco doing little earlier to address the safety room, his addition already made sense.
Malik Mustapha’s injury only increases the importance of depth there. Second-year pro Marques Sigle hasn’t had a strong preseason, which could open the door for Davis to provide the veteran presence Morris might prefer if he handles business Thursday night.
Cornerback Jack Jones is another player whose stock has been rising. Renardo Green’s injury gave Jones more runway last week against the Chargers, and he’s been making plays throughout camp, regularly showing up with interceptions in practice.
San Francisco’s top three at corner appear set with Green, Deommodore Lenoir and Upton Stout. After that, things get murkier.
Ephesians Prysock has been impressive, and Darrell Luter Jr. remains in the mix, but Jones may have done enough to push his way in and potentially knock Luter off the roster.
Then there’s Siran Neal, a 32-year-old defensive back whose experience may matter more than his age suggests. He spent last season with the 49ers and played exclusively on special teams.
With younger players around him in the secondary, he’d normally look like a candidate to get squeezed out. But his ability to handle both cornerback and safety gives him a useful edge, and that kind of versatility can help keep him around when roster decisions get tight.
In Other News...
49ers Leave Camp With One Worry Fans Can't Ignore
The 49ers wrapped up preseason work with a practice that looked less like a final tune-up and more like a reminder of how much of camp was spent managing bodies. Twenty-three players were out because of injury, and the list included some of the names San Francisco can least afford to lose, from Nick Bosa to Mykel Williams to George Kittle. Even with a few encouraging moments scattered through camp, the biggest takeaway was hard to miss: the roster has been tested before the games even start.
Now the question is less about how much talent the 49ers have and more about how available that talent will be when the schedule turns real. An early slate that already looks difficult becomes even more demanding if the club has to lean on depth before it is fully settled, and the uncertainty around several important players only adds to that concern. San Francisco has enough proven pieces to feel good about its ceiling, but the health picture leaves a lingering worry that fans will be watching closely right away. [Read more 🡒]
Kyle Shanahan Just Cast Doubt On A 49ers Rookie's Hot Start
DeZhaun Stribling has been one of the quieter preseason bright spots around the 49ers, piling up 11 catches for 109 yards over the first two games and drawing plenty of attention in camp. For a rookie trying to carve out a role, that kind of early production usually helps, especially on a roster that is always looking for cost-controlled depth and young receiving talent.
Kyle Shanahan, though, seemed eager to temper the buzz. The 49ers coach pointed to the looks Stribling has been getting and said the team had hoped to ease him in even more because of another players injury, stressing a preference for gradual growth rather than a sudden leap into a major role. For now, the question is less about whether Stribling has flashed and more about how much of that flash San Francisco believes will carry once the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Be Waiting On A Serious Jed York Decision
The NFL is taking a closer look at Jed York after the 49ers owners recent arrest in Ohio, with Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the league is reviewing the matter under its personal conduct policy. York was arrested after an undercover operation tied to prostitution charges, and the case ended with a no contest plea to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools.
York has already served the criminal side of the issue, receiving a one-day jail sentence, a fine and completing an online course, but the leagues next move remains unsettled. For San Francisco, the uncertainty now shifts to whether the NFL will add its own discipline for an owner whose off-field trouble has suddenly become part of the teams broader picture. [Read more 🡒]