The 49ers are taking a very different approach.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said few starters will play against the Titans. He was asked if the team had finalized its plan for playing time.
"We have, but we haven't told any of the players yet," Shanahan said. "There won't be many starters playing. We'll see, with injuries today and stuff—and that doesn't mean none. But we've got to balance that out.
"But we haven't told the players yet, so we'll wait until we do that with them this afternoon."
Starters such as running back Christian McCaffrey and defensive end Nick Bosa are dealing with minor injuries and have missed multiple practices. Both were already unlikely to play Thursday night.
The limited playing time also means 49ers fans may have to wait to get an extended look at quarterback Brock Purdy and his new top wide receiver target, Mike Evans.
It remains to be seen which, if any, of the 49ers' starters will suit up for Thursday night's preseason matchup against the Titans.
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