The San Francisco 49ers are through their third preseason game, and that likely means we have seen the last of much of the starting lineup. We might see a starter or two get some work on Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers, but with teams now allowed to keep 90 players on the roster through the final game, it will be all about second and third string players.
Thursday’s game will give us a good handle on who the starters are all but officially, but it also gives bubble players a chance to nail down the final roster spots. We’ll take a look at the bubble watch later this week, but in the meantime, it’s time for our latest 53-man roster projection. Here are the changes I made.
In: OT John Theus; Out: OT Garry Gilliam - Theus was the first lineman off the bench after Joe Staley hurt his knee. Gilliam has not impressed thus far, and Theus has had a relatively solid preseason thus far.
In: OL Erik Magnuson; Out: WR Kendrick Bourne - I had been keeping six receivers thus far, but I think it would be more likely that the team tries to sign either Kendrick Bourne or Victor Bolden (or both) to the practice squad. Erik Magnuson has impressed thus far,
In: RB/KR Raheem Mostert; Out: OLB Ahmad Brooks - I had previously mentioned that I thought the team would keep Tim Hightower and cut Raheem Mostert. In making these adjustments, I could see them fitting him on the roster in this sense. This reflects Ahmad Brooks already being out.
QB (3): Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, C.J. Beathard
RB (5): Carlos Hyde, Tim Hightower, Joe Williams, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert
FB (1): Kyle Juszczyk
WR (5): Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Jeremy Kerley, Aldrick Robinson, Trent Taylor
TE (3): George Kittle, Logan Paulsen, Vance McDonald
OT (3): Joe Staley, Trent Brown, John Theus
OG (3): Zane Beadles, Brandon Fusco, Joshua Garnett
C (3): Daniel Kilgore, Tim Barnes, Erik Magnuson
DT (5): DeForest Buckner, Earl Mitchell, D.J. Jones, Tank Carradine, Quinton Dial
DE (4): Arik Armstead, Solomon Thomas, Elvis Dumervil, Aaron Lynch
OLB (2): Eli Harold, Dekoda Watson
MLB (4): NaVorro Bowman, Reuben Foster, Ray Ray Armstrong Brock Coyle
CB (5): Rashard Robinson, Keith Reaser, Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson, K’Waun Williams
S (4): Jimmie Ward, Eric Reid, Jaquiski Tartt, Lorenzo Jerome
K (1): Robbie Gould
P (1): Bradley Pinion
LS (1): Kyle Nelson
Injured reserve: LB Malcolm Smith, S Chanceller James, LB Jimmie Gilbert, WR BJ Johnson III, LB Donavin Newsom