SANTA CLARA – Neither the preseason nor training camp did much to rattle the 49ers’ playoff-caliber depth chart.
Well, a veteran-laden offense was spiced up by rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, helping offset Ricky Pearsall’s exit to season-ending knee surgery.
Defensively, first-year coordinator Raheem Morris is still waiting for Nick Bosa to fully launch a comeback from ACL repair, and ditto for fellow defensive end Mykel Williams. The past month has been more about sifting through options that will swirl around the defense’s epicenter of linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
As for special teams, well, when Eddy Piñeiro is banging 59-yard field goals through the uprights, pleasant memories rush back of his 2025 arrival, and they foolishly block out concerns over who’ll return punts and kicks for the 49ers.
Here is a crack at the initial 53-man roster, due in by Sunday at 1 p.m. PT:
QUARTERBACKS (3)
Brock Purdy
Mac Jones
Kurtis Rourke
Why: Purdy and Jones are the NFL’s best QB tandem, and Rourke was too good in his debut to waive him (with three fractured ribs).
RUNNING BACK (4)
Christian McCaffrey
Kyle Juszczyk
Kaelon Black
Jordan James
Why: McCaffrey’s mid-camp hiatus has him fresh, and same with Juszczyk, who fractured a finger early in camp. Black and James provide youthful burst behind them. Sincere McCormick or Khalil Herbert were solid. Isaac Guerendo is stashed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
WIDE RECEIVER (6)
Mike Evans
Deebo Samuel
De’Zhaun Stribling
Christian Kirk
Jacob Cowing
Demarcus Robinson
Why: Injury concerns could prompt the 49ers to carry another, and while Jordan Watkins got the most reps to win that spot, don’t rule out Will Pauling or even Trenton Irwin.
TIGHT END (3)
George Kittle
Jake Tonges
Luke Farrell
Why: KittleWatch is underway regarding his Week 1 potential, after getting activated off PUP on Sunday. Brayden Willis is in the concussion protocol so that could slide him onto Injured Reserve. Hayden Rucci may need to be on-call.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10)
Trent Williams
Jake Brendel
Dominick Puni
Colton McKivitz
Carver Willis
Connor Colby
Enrique Cruz Jr.
Brett Toth
Robert Jones
Austen Pleasants
*Vederian Lowe (short-term IR)
Why: Lowe hasn’t practiced since a high-ankle injury on Day 1 of camp, so he’s the more likely tackle to be designated for short-term Injured Reserve, although Austen Pleasants’ knee injury last Thursday also casts doubt on his availability.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9)
Nick Bosa
Mykel Williams
Keion White
Osa Odighizuwa
Gracen Halton
Alfred Collins
C.J. West
Romello Height
James Thompson
Why: Bosa better be ready by Week 1 or the 49ers are in deep trouble with their shallow pool of pass rushers. Eight defensive ends were signed since camp opened. Time to add another, if available via trade or a free agency gift.
LINEBACKER (6)
Fred Warner
Dre Greenlaw
Tatum Bethune
Nick Martin
Luke Gifford
Jaden Dugger
Why: Not sure they should keep Luke Gifford over Garrett Wallow or Jalen Graham. Wallow was a late-season addition last year who is battling back spasms and might be ideal for the practice squad.
CORNERBACK (6)
Deommodore Lenoir
Renardo Green
Upton Stout
Jack Jones
Ephesians Prysock
Darrell Luter Jr.
Why: Prysock sustained a shoulder sprain Thursday night, and the starting cornerbacks are not at full health, so Luter remains on scholarship.
SAFETY (3)
Ji’Ayir Brown
Marques Sigle
Malik Mustapha
Why: Mustapha’s early-camp hamstring injury shouldn’t shelve him much longer. Siran Neal’s special teams availability could command him a roster spot.
SPECIALISTS (3)
Jon Weeks (LS)
Corliss Waitman (P)
Eddy Piñeiro (K)
Why: Piñeiro’s 6-for-6 preseason finish, including a 59-yard field goal, has the 49ers in a much happier place than a year ago when they gave Jake Moody a short leash.