Kyle Shanahan has never been the kind of coach who hands out snaps to rookies just because they’re rookies. In San Francisco, veterans usually get the nod, and young players are expected to wait their turn.
That’s why the 49ers’ Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia stood out. The snap counts showed a team leaning on several first-year players, and not just in token spots. A handful of rookies had real roles, which could be a sign of how this season is going to look.
Kaelon Black was the biggest surprise. He logged 28 snaps, good for a 44% share, and even outpaced Christian McCaffrey in rush attempts, 14 to 10.
Black’s snap total was the highest for a 49ers running back not named McCaffrey since McCaffrey arrived in 2022. The message was clear: the 49ers are serious about trimming McCaffrey’s workload, and the plan worked exactly as intended in Week 1.
Jaden Dugger’s usage also matched the offseason buzz around him. He was on the field for 34 defensive snaps and moved around in a flexible role.
Raheem Morris used him both as a fifth player on the line of scrimmage and in a more traditional linebacker spot a few yards off the line. That kind of deployment says plenty about the trust he’s already earned, and it looks like that role should stay in place.
Gracen Halton got his chance too, and he made it count in a more subtle way. With Alfred Collins out for the year and C.J.
West struggling, Halton played 31 defensive snaps, which was half of the team’s total. Morris trusted him, but the situation also demanded it.
West had been getting pushed around too easily, and once Halton entered, the run defense settled down. He didn’t need to flash; he just needed to stabilize things, and that should help his snap count going forward.
Romello Height also saw meaningful work, taking 30 defensive snaps after missing time in training camp with an ankle injury. The playing time suggested he’s back to full health.
It also reflected the 49ers’ thin depth at defensive end. Height didn’t make much of a mark in the game itself, but San Francisco needs him on the field, and these reps should help him work back into rhythm.
De’Zhaun Stribling had his own strong workload before the game changed on him. He got 21 snaps before leaving with an ankle injury, and he was set up for even more. Instead, he’s now expected to be out for the next month.
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