We can expect to see few starters in preseason game number three, but that does not mean there won't be consequential performances. Here are players to focus on this Thursday when the San Francisco 49ers face the Las Vegas Raiders. (I am putting their jersey numbers in parentheses for those likely to play.)
Center
Jake Brendel is the starter at center, and Brett Toth is projected to be his backup. Toth has been out with an injury for some time, though, and Drake Nugent (66) and Doug Kramer (58) have been snapping the ball. One of those two might be the primary backup in Week 1 of the regular season.
Who starts against the Raiders might be telling.
Left guard
The players mentioned at the beginning of training camp as part of this competition were veteran Robert Jones, second-year man Connor Colby (75), and rookie Carver Willis (74). Jones is currently out with an injury, potentially for the remainder of training camp, and Willis suffered a concussion early in camp, resulting in less time to develop.
Because starting right guard Dominic Puni suffered a concussion, Colby played right guard against the Chargers. Head coach Kyle Shanahan moved tackle Austen Pleasants to left guard for a while, but Pleasants hurt his knee, and he won't play against Las Vegas. Nick Zakelj (63) might also factor into the discussion.
Playing Colby at right guard suggests that Shanahan does not see Willis as a swing guard. As a rookie, he might be better served focusing on one side, and left guard is the primary spot where he can play a significant role. Look to see how much the Niners run to the left, how well they succeed when they do, and how much pressure comes from that side.
The interior of the offensive line has been the problem for the 49ers for some time, so noting who is giving up the pressure will be key—and can sometimes be difficult to tell.
Swing tackle
Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz are the starting offensive tackles, but every team has to have a tackle who can play on both the right and left sides. Isaac Alarcón (67), Brandon Parker (60), and rookie Enrique Cruz Jr. (69) are competing for that spot. Though Vederian Lowe will likely assume that position when he returns from injury, it is not clear that he will be healthy by Week 1, and therefore, who would man the spot until he returns might be crucial.
Wide receiver
Jacob Cowing (6) is currently out with an injury and is unlikely to play. Jordan Watkins (17) has looked good, and Demarcus Robinson (7) is a reliable receiver. But because Kyle Shanahan will likely keep only six receivers, they are not guaranteed a spot. Because of various injuries, how much we see of them will be telling.
This is also a spot where we can see who will make the practice squad. Trenton Irwin (82), Malik Turner (81), and KhaDarel Hodge (86) have played well when they've had a chance.
Interior defensive line
Osa Odighizuwa will be one of the two starters, and Alfred Collins will likely be the other one on early downs. But the rotation in the middle will be key. Unfortunately, defensive tackle Gracen Halton is out with an injury, but Bryson Eason (67), CJ West (99), and Sebastian Valdez (55) are all fighting for the two remaining slots at that position.
Defensive back
The team's starting cornerbacks—Deommodore Lenoir, Upton Stout, and Renardo Green—are settled, and the primary corner on the outside will be Jack Jones (25). But that leaves one to two spots open for another corner. Darrell Luter (28), Ephesians Prysock (35), and Nate Hobbs (22) are the main contenders, and pay attention to which corner plays in the slot. Having that versatility is important.
It would also be good to locate Siran Neal (33). If he plays both in the slot and on the back end as safety, that might tell us he has a roster spot. When it comes to backups, being versatile and playing well on special teams are two important qualities.
Linebacker
There is currently a logjam behind Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Fifth-round selection Jaden Dugger (53) and one of last year's third-rounders, Nick Martin (45), have seen extensive action this preseason, but the latter is currently out with an injury.
Garrett Wallow (49) has played a fair amount of time, and look to see if Tatum Bethune (48) plays snaps in the middle. He replaced Fred Warner in that position last year when Warner had his severe ankle injury. Larry Worth (47) has turned some heads.
Even though Shanahan has said that few starters will play, those who do might factor into the season's success or failure.
Mentioned in this article: Tatum Bethune, Jake Brendel, Connor Colby, Alfred Collins, Jacob Cowing, Enrique Cruz, Jaden Dugger, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton, Nate Hobbs, KhaDarel Hodge, Jack Jones, Deommodore Lenoir, Vederian Lowe, Nick Martin, Colton McKivitz, Siran Neal, Drake Nugent, Osa Odighizuwa, Austen Pleasants, Ephesians Prysock, Demarcus Robinson, Upton Stout, Brett Toth, Sebastian Valdez, Fred Warner, Jordan Watkins, Trent Williams, Carver Willis, Nick Zakelj
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