SANTA CLARA — Only 54 players from the 49ers’ 90-man training camp roster suited up for their preseason opener on Thursday night, a 19-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
So that meant many of the team’s under-the-radar players had plenty of chances to show what they bring to the table.
Several intriguing competitions are evolving, including at wide receiver.
Veteran Christian Kirk signed a one-year contract with $3 million guaranteed in the offseason. But he sustained a calf injury on the first day of training camp. His absence has opened the door for some of the young players to step in and prove their worth.
There is a battle developing for spots along the defensive line, too.
That position group was the worst on the team last year, so few of the holdovers from a year ago should have their spots guaranteed with a handful of newcomers pushing for spots.
After one preseason game, here is how we currently envision the 49ers’ 53-man roster:
Quarterback (3)
Brock Purdy
Mac Jones
Kurtis Rourke
Overview: While Purdy and Jones sat out the exhibition opener, Rourke took advantage of his opportunity to show why he should hold one of those spots on the regular-season roster. Now, the biggest question about him is his health. Rourke left the game with a ribs injury; initial X-rays were inconclusive, and he was experiencing difficulty breathing. He then was discharged from the hospital late Thursday after he went through for more imaging. The 49ers must keep Rourke around because of the strong possibility he could serve as Purdy’s backup in 2027.
Running back (5)
Christian McCaffrey
Kyle Juszczyk
Kaelon Black
Jordan James
Patrick Taylor
Overview: The final spot could come down to Taylor, Isaac Guerendo, Sincere McCormick and Khalil Herbert. Taylor’s availability during camp has been valuable to the 49ers while McCaffrey, Juszczyk, Black, James and Guerendo have been sidelined with injuries. Taylor can fit as a core special-teams player, which gives him the edge right now.
Wide receiver (6)
Mike Evans
De’Zhaun Stribling
Deebo Samuel
Demarcus Robinson
Jordan Watkins
Will Pauling
Overview: Pauling has been impressive in training camp, and his ability to comfortably field punts gives him a slight edge right now over Kirk and Jacob Cowing, who have missed considerable time with injuries. Watkins is doing well in training camp, and he carried that momentum over into the game Thursday night. His speed and playmaking ability seems to make it unlikely the 49ers would allow him to get away at this stage of his career.
Tight end (2)
Jake Tonges
Luke Farrell
PUP: George Kittle
Overview: It’s a good bet that Kittle will not be on PUP when the season begins. But that does not necessarily mean he will suit up Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. The 49ers’ best plan is to keep either Brayden Willis, Hayden Rucci or Josiah Deguara on the practice squad for insurance as they head into the regular season.
Offensive line (10)
Trent Williams
Dominick Puni
Colton McKivitz
Jake Brendel
Connor Colby
Vederian Lowe
Robert Jones
Brett Toth
Carver Willis
Enrique Cruz
Overview: The first eight players listed appear to be the players who should suit up on game days, assuming Lowe makes a timely recovery from his high-ankle sprain. Willis and Cruz are developmental players. Cruz is raw as an oyster. Yet, it is possible he could fit into the long-term picture whenever Williams is no longer around. Austen Pleasants, the 49ers’ swing tackle last season, remains in the contention for a roster spot.
Defensive line (9)
Nick Bosa
Osa Odighizuwa
Alfred Collins
Romello Height
CJ West
Keion White
Gracen Halton
Sam Okuayinonu
James Thompson Jr.
PUP — Mykel Williams
Overview: The 49ers have three intriguing defensive tackles to keep an eye on. The final spot, right now, goes to Thompson. He is hardly a lock for a spot with such players as Sebastian Valdez and Bryson Eason doing well enough to be under consideration for spots, too.
Linebacker (6)
Fred Warner
Dre Greenlaw
Jaden Dugger
Tatum Bethune
Nick Martin
Luke Gifford
Overview: Dugger seemingly has locked down a spot on the 53-man roster. He has shown enough promise to put himself in line for a significant role in Raheem Morris’ defense in Week 1. Bethune, Martin and Gifford can figure to make contributions on special teams. Garret Wallow is competing for that final spot. Larry Worth III is an intriguing prospect who should be able to stick around for a while on the practice squad.
Cornerback (5)
Deommodore Lenoir
Renardo Green
Upton Stout
Jack Jones
Ephesians Prysock
Overview: Veteran cornerback Nate Hobbs was coming on strong and making a serious bid for a roster spot. But he sustained a significant groin injury, which is a major setback for him. Hobbs is expected to miss “a few weeks,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. Darrell Luter Jr. had a solid opening to camp. But Prysock, a rookie, has flashed enough unique traits to stick around. Jakob Robinson seems like an obvious choice for the practice squad.
Safety (4)
Malik Mustapha
Ji’Ayir Brown
Marques Sigle
Ashtyn Davis
Overview: It is difficult to keep Siran Neal off the roster. He is a core special-teams player. But Davis is three years younger and has the versatility to play safety and special teams. Davis has history with 49ers special-teams coordinator Brant Boyer. On defense, he has also made some plays on the ball during training camp.
Special teams (3)
K Eddy Piñeiro
P Corliss Waitman
LS Jon Weeks
Overview: The competition is over. The 49ers are going with Waitman as the punter, as they waived undrafted rookie punter Jack Bouwmeester this week. One of the advantages of going with Waitman was on display Thursday night when Titans return man Courtney Jackson muffed a punt off the foot of the lefty.