The 49ers are expected to give more starters a little run in preseason Week 2, but the real pressure points are still on the margins. This is where roster spots get won, where camp momentum gets tested, and where a few offensive players can force the coaching staff to take them seriously.
One of the names worth tracking is rookie running back Black. He sat out the preseason opener because of an adductor injury, but he’s back now and may have done enough to get into the mix.
San Francisco’s backfield situation makes that especially important. Christian McCaffrey is unlikely to play, Jordan James has broken ribs, and Isaac Guerendo is on the PUP.
That leaves the door open for Black to handle real carries in Week 1, and he needs this preseason to get comfortable fast.
At receiver, Robinson has been one of the biggest camp winners so far. He’s been the healthiest wideout, which has naturally given him more chances, and he’s taken full advantage of them.
He was rested with the starters last week, but De’Zhaun Stribling made a strong impression in his debut. The question now is simple: does Robinson keep getting starter treatment, or does the rookie start cutting into his snaps with the first unit?
Tight end Hayden Rucci is another player who quietly helped himself in the opener. He got on the field for the second drive and made an early case for more attention.
Rucci came out of Miami as a blocking tight end, and that background matters because he has experience with Mike McDaniel, whose offense is similar. With George Kittle out, Rucci has a real path to the 53-man roster if he puts together two more solid weeks.
Left guard Willis is also getting a bigger opportunity. He worked with the backups last week and was uneven, but it was enough to earn him time with the starters this week.
He’s spent most of his practice reps with the first team, so he should be in line to start again in the second preseason game. The key now is whether his progress at left guard keeps trending in the right direction.
Then there’s Pleasants, who gets a chance at left tackle with Trent Williams out of the preseason and Vederian Lowe still sidelined. Pleasants started in Week 18 last year and will be protecting Brock Purdy again here.
With rookie Enrique Cruz in the picture and Lowe carrying money as a free-agent signing, Pleasants has the least investment behind him. That makes this a big chance for him to push for the backup left tackle job.
In Other News...
49ers Camp Suddenly Has A Mac Jones Question Fans Didn't Expect
Kurtis Rourke turned heads in his 49ers debut, and it did more than just add another name to the quarterback mix. Around a camp that already has Brock Purdy working through joint practices with the Chargers and rookie running back Kaelon Black flashing, Rourkes first showing gave the roster a little more intrigue than the team probably expected this early in August.
It also has quietly changed the conversation around Mac Jones, whose contract situation is now part of the backdrop as the preseason unfolds. The 49ers are still juggling routine camp decisions, including Christian McCaffrey being held out of some work as a precaution and bringing back defensive tackle Evan Anderson for depth, but the most interesting question may be whether the quarterback picture is stable enough to last beyond the summer. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Veteran Suddenly Has A Real Week 1 Opening
Sam Okuayinonu has spent the early part of his 49ers career looking like a depth piece with room to grow, but this season could finally give him a clearer path. Entering his third year in San Francisco, he is expected to see more playing time, and the roster picture around him has shifted just enough to make that feel real heading into the opener.
The opening may have arrived sooner than the 49ers planned. With the team still managing injuries along the edge, Okuayinonu could be in line to start or at least handle a meaningful workload right away, giving him a chance to turn a longer look into something more permanent if the early-season rotation stays thin. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Wide Receiver Battle Just Claimed An Unexpected Draft Pick
The 49ers wide receiver competition took an early turn before their first preseason game, with Junior Bergen waived after a camp that had highlighted his return ability. Bergen had been viewed as a long shot to crack San Franciscos roster, and the teams depth at receiver made every fringe spot difficult to hold onto as roster decisions started to come due.
Bergen did not stay on the wire long. The Jets claimed him and made room by moving on from an undrafted free agent, a quick reminder that even players on the edge of the 49ers roster can still draw interest elsewhere. For San Francisco, it is another small but notable cut in a crowded position battle that could keep shifting as preseason unfolds. [Read more 🡒]