At the beginning of the week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan wasn't sure who his two starting middle linebackers would be on Sunday when the team heads into Arrowhead Stadium to play the Kansas City Chiefs. Even if he did, he wouldn't tell reporters.
Keeping his lineup a secret gives him a slight competitive advantage because the Chiefs offense doesn't know who it will be facing.
The 49ers finished their final practice of the week on Friday and will board a plane for Kansas City. Does Shanahan have a clearer picture of who his two starting middle linebackers will be with the game just two days away?
"Yes, very clear," Shanahan said.
Would he care to share the names with the media?
"Nope," Shanahan responded.
It was worth a shot.
One of those players will undoubtedly be Reuben Foster, who is returning to the lineup after serving his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct and substances of abuse policies. Malcolm Smith has yet to take a snap for the 49ers — outside of a blink-and-you-missed-it appearance during the team's exhibition opener — since signing a five-year deal on March 9, 2017.
Smith did not appear on Friday's injury report and will likely debut for the 49ers on Sunday. Whether or not he starts remains a mystery.
Catching up with #49ers LB Malcolm Smith who is set to make his #49ers debut this week vs. Chiefs #BEASTwriter #NinerFans #GoNiners pic.twitter.com/enknvDmoZN
— Ryan Sakamoto (@BEASTwriter_) September 21, 2018
Then there is rookie Fred Warner, who started and impressed in the first two games at the MIKE linebacker spot. Shanahan, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, and even general manager John Lynch have all said that it would be tough to keep him off the field.
Safety Jaquiski Tartt, who injured his shoulder last Sunday against the Detroit Lions, is listed as questionable for the game in Kansas City. Shanahan didn't want to reveal the plan at that position either.
"We have a number of options with that, so that's also why I'm not going to say exactly because we could go a bunch of directions," Shanahan said. "You guys all know Jimmy Ward can play that spot. D.J. Reed can play both safeties. We have (Antone) Exum, who's backed up Tartt, who can come in at any time. We have guys on the practice squad that we can bring up. So lots of options we can do."