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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Dave Kluge, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It’s 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you’ll find. It’s probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 3
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
The 53-man roster is slowly coming into focus as the team heads to Southern California for joint practice and preseason game No. 2 with the Los Angeles Chargers. Brock Purdy continued to connect with Mike Evans and Demarcus Robinson in practice, and it looks quite probable that not only will Robinson make the roster, but he could also be a solid weapon if another receiver went down. Head coach Kyle Shanahan, almost completely back from his own injury sustained in a car accident, had Purdy play one series Thursday night. After several connections and a return to his usual routine, Purdy added a quick scramble that showed he can also succeed on the ground, smartly running out of bounds. Mac Jones took over in the second series, followed by Adrian Martinez. At the third quarterback spot, it is clearly Kurtis Rourke‘s position to lose, pending his injury recovery. Martinez looked average at best, throwing two interceptions. There is much chatter that Jones is entering his final season with the team, with the possibility of starting elsewhere or becoming a bridge quarterback after his dependable performances while Purdy was out in San Francisco. Rourke has the physicality and understanding of the playbook to push himself into backup territory sooner rather than later.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
There is hope in the search for a second running back after rookie Kaelon Black returned to practice Tuesday, and his fresh legs clearly sparked enthusiasm within the team. Black has impressive bursts of speed and explosiveness that set him apart from the other backs filling in at practice, and that success carried into the game: Black looked like he was shot out of a cannon during the first series, and the second running back spot behind Christian McCaffrey is now his to lose. Patrick Taylor Jr. was placed on season-ending injured reserve, potentially opening a roster spot for another back. Sincere McCormick valiantly threw his hat into the ring with an impressive performance capped by a touchdown. Isaac Guerendo remains sidelined with a pectoral injury, and with Kyle Juszczyk occupying one spot, Jordan James and McCormick may battle for that potential final place, with James still the higher probability — James returned to practice Saturday and looked sharp from the start. McCaffrey missed the week of practice with tightness, fueling rumors that he might be holding in for a contract extension. Asked whether the absence was contract-related, Shanahan responded: “I think they make a lot of assumptions and that would be one that they’re wrong on.” Those assumptions proved incorrect, as McCaffrey suited up and took to the practice field Sunday — the first time since Aug. 10 — participating in both team and individual drills and noting the schedule was “part of the plan” to stay fresh.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
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