Key facts
- Preseason opener
- Aug. 13 vs. Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium
- Ricky Pearsall injury
- Out for the season after PCL surgery
- Deebo Samuel re-added
- One-year deal
- George Kittle status
- Attempting to return for Week 1, may be shelved for first month
- Punter competition
- Tory Taylor (rookie) vs. Corliss Waitman (veteran)
- Vederian Lowe injury
- Missed all of camp with ankle injury
Background
The San Francisco 49ers have completed the first block of training camp practices and are preparing for their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium on Aug. 13. The team will also play road preseason games against the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders before cutting the roster to 53 players.
Quarterback Brock Purdy enters his fourth year as the full-time starter after a truncated 2025 season due to injury. He aims to return to his 2023 form, when he was a Pro Bowler and finished fourth in MVP voting. Backup quarterback Brandon Allen is expected to remain for another year, learning under head coach Kyle Shanahan before seeking a starting job.
Current roster battles
At running back, Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo, and Jordan Mason are locked in, along with fullback Kyle Juszczyk, though Guerendo and Mason are nursing injuries. The final running back spot is projected to go to recently signed Khalil Herbert, who previously played for the Bears, over Patrick Taylor and Sincere McCormick.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will miss the entire season after PCL surgery, prompting the re-addition of Deebo Samuel on a one-year deal. The receiving corps is expected to include Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall (injured), with Jacob Cowing and Trent Taylor competing for the final spots. Cowing, a standout punt returner, is projected to make the roster despite missing last season due to injury and having only four career catches for 80 yards.
Tight end George Kittle is attempting to return for Week 1, but the team may need to shelve him for the first month to ensure full health. Without Kittle, the tight end group is less favorable, with Charlie Woerner having 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns last season in Kittle's absence. Jake Farrell and Brayden Willis are also in the mix.
On the offensive line, left guard appears to be Connor Colby's job to lose, though he struggled after a strong rookie start. The backup group is projected to include veteran options, with rookies Carver Willis, Enrique Cruz, Drake Nugent, Austen Pleasants, and Nick Zakelj missing out. Vederian Lowe has missed all of camp with an ankle injury, hurting his chances for the swing tackle role.
Defensively, Nick Bosa is expected to return to form, and the addition of Osa Odighizuwa to the interior is seen as a major upgrade. A surprise is defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonu, who has been getting significant reps with the starters early in camp. The unit may still need another edge pass-rusher, especially with Drake Jackson missing the start of the season.
At linebacker, Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner return to form a strong duo. Dee Winters is competing for the SAM spot under new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, with De'Vondre Campbell as a backup. Rookie Dee Winters has been used in multiple positions, and special teams ace Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles is expected to make the roster.
Cornerback competition between Renardo Green and Jack Jones is bringing out the best in Green. The team has starters and backups at all three corner positions, with rookie Caelen Carson potentially making the roster due to physical traits. At safety, Ji'Ayir Brown has impressed, and the battle for his running mate is between Malik Mustapha and George Odum, with veteran Ashtyn Davis also in the mix.
At punter, the 49ers have two options: rookie Tory Taylor, a 27-year-old Australian out of Texas, and veteran Corliss Waitman, who has played for Denver and Pittsburgh. The projection favors Taylor due to his Australian kicking style, similar to the team's long-time punter Mitch Wishnowsky, but the decision could go either way.
| Position | Projected starter | Notable backup |
|---|---|---|
| QB | Brock Purdy | Brandon Allen |
| RB | Christian McCaffrey | Khalil Herbert |
| WR | Deebo Samuel | Jacob Cowing |
| TE | George Kittle (if healthy) | Charlie Woerner |
| LT | Trent Williams | Jaylon Moore |
| LG | Connor Colby | Aaron Banks |
| C | Jake Brendel | Nick Zakelj |
| RG | Dominick Puni | Spencer Burford |
| RT | Colton McKivitz | Matt Pryor |
| DE | Nick Bosa | Sam Okuayinonu |
| DT | Javon Hargrave | Osa Odighizuwa |
| LB | Dre Greenlaw | Dee Winters |
Impacts
The loss of Ricky Pearsall for the season is a significant blow to the receiving corps, but the re-addition of Deebo Samuel provides a temporary cushion. The team may rely more on veterans like Trent Taylor and Jacob Cowing, who offers punt return value despite limited offensive production.
George Kittle's potential absence for the first month would leave the tight end group thin, but Charlie Woerner's pass-catching ability could mitigate the impact. The offense will need to compensate until Kittle returns.
Injuries to running backs Isaac Guerendo and Jordan Mason could affect the depth chart, but the projected addition of Khalil Herbert provides experienced backup. The offensive line's uncertainty at left guard and swing tackle could impact protection for Purdy.
Defensively, the addition of Osa Odighizuwa strengthens the interior, but the lack of an established edge rusher opposite Nick Bosa could be a concern. The emergence of Sam Okuayinonu could help, but the unit may need to rely on rotation.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the 49ers decide to rest George Kittle for the first month, they may struggle offensively early in the season, but it could pay off in the long run if he returns fully healthy. Alternatively, if Kittle pushes to play and suffers a setback, the team could face a more significant loss.
The punter competition between Tory Taylor and Corliss Waitman could go either way. If Taylor wins, the 49ers may benefit from his Australian style, but if Waitman's experience prevails, they might have more consistency. The decision will likely be made during the preseason.
The defensive line's need for another edge pass-rusher could be addressed via a trade or waiver claim before the season starts. If not, the team may rely on players like Sam Okuayinonu to step up, but that remains uncertain.
Source: ninernoise.com
