Shanahan isn't withholding information simply to frustrate the media. The 49ers head coach is being deliberately strategic.
A reporter asked Shanahan if any players on the roster bubble had stood out during the preseason finale.
"Yeah, there are a few guys," Shanahan answered. "I don't like to sit and—I have no problem with praising people, but people in this league get paid a lot of money to read everything we say and evaluate decisions over these next three days based off of practice squads and depth charts and stuff. So I've got to be pretty careful with that."
Shanahan is referring to other NFL teams monitoring his comments in hopes of identifying a potential gem among the 49ers' roster cuts. With the 53-man roster deadline approaching Sunday, there are undoubtedly some difficult decisions to be made over the next few days.
The 49ers undoubtedly hope to have a few roster cuts clear waivers and rejoin the team via the practice squad. That won't happen for some if other teams claim them.
"I'm looking forward to figuring out exactly our final team here over these next three days," Shanahan said. "We've got a lot of tough decisions. They're not easy ones. I want to see how the practice squad pans out and really what our opening-day roster is going to be.
"And then, I just like when the season starts. I mean, preseason gets a little bit old, and I like when it gets real. And it's going to get real, real fast."
Once the roster cut-down is complete, the 49ers will shift their focus to the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. The NFC West rivals will clash on Thursday, September 10.
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