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49ers preseason finale snap count might offer some roster clues

The 49ers closed out the preseason, and we’ve got a full look at the snap count.

The San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their 2018 preseason schedule on Thursday, and while most of the starters sat out the game, the snap count provides some intriguing clues about roster decisions. You can review the table below, or read the gamebook PDF.

The most important information might be who did not play. A few starters got some work, but most of the expected offensive and defensive starters sat out the game. Some notable names not playing included wide receiver Aaron Burbridge and linebacker Fred Warner.

Burbridge is competing for the sixth wide receiver spot that will be primarily a special teams contributor. Kendrick Bourne, Aldrick Robinson, and Richie James got significant work at wide receiver, and would seem to be competing with Burbridge for a roster spot. My latest projection has James and Burbridge making the roster.

Warner is likely going to be starting when Week 1 arrives. Reuben Foster will miss two weeks while suspended, and Kyle Shanahan said there is “a real good chance” Warner is starting the first two weeks.

One position that seemed to still be up for grabs was the third tight end role. Ross Dwelley and Cole Hikutini got extensive work on Thursday, while Cole Wick only played five snaps. The snap count is not the final piece of the puzzle, but it would seem to be a pretty big one.

Right guard remains a question mark. Joshua Garnett started, while Jonathan Cooper played left guard out of the gate. Garnett played 23 of 62 snaps, while Cooper played all but two snaps. Cooper took time to get over his knee injury, and Kyle Shanahan has repeatedly referenced that. Matt Maiocco reported Friday morning that Erik Magnuson may not need the full six to eight weeks recovery time for his hamstring injury, as initially estimated. That could be problematic for Cooper’s roster chances.

Here’s the full list of snaps for the preseason finale.

49ers preseason finale snap count 2018

Player Offense Defense ST
Player Offense Defense ST
Jonathan Cooper 60 2
Steven Dunbar 51 10
Darrell Williams 46 3
Najee Toran 39 3
Andrew Lauderdale 39 3
JP Flynn 39 2
Pace Murphy 39 1
Ross Dwelley 38 11
Victor Bolden 38 3
Nick Mullens 38
Aldrick Robinson 33 1
Cole Hikutini 32 12
Richie James 27 13
Jeff Wilson 25 11
Joshua Garnett 23 1
Coleman Shelton 23
Jack Heneghan 21
Raheem Mostert 19
Jeremy McNichols 16 11
Kendrick Bourne 11
Malcolm Johnson 7 7
Trent Taylor 6
Cole Wick 5
C.J. Beathard 3
Alfred Morris 2
Chris Gonzalez 2
Antone Exum 54 7
Emmanuel Moseley 45 12
Tyvis Powell 43 9
Pita Taumoepenu 38 6
Jullian Taylor 37 3
Elijah Lee 35 6
Will Sutton 34 7
Brock Coyle 34 6
Greg Mabin 33 11
Tarvarius Moore 33 6
Niles Scott 29 3
Chris Jones 24 3
Ronald Blair 23 3
Dexter McCoil 21 16
Korey Toomer 21 12
Tarvarus McFadden 20 15
Reuben Foster 19 1
D.J. Jones 18 2
Sheldon Day 16 1
Dekoda Watson 9
Solomon Thomas 8 1
Wes Saxton 17
Kyle Nelson 6
Bradley Pinion 6
Jeff Locke 4
Robbie Gould 3
Ja'Quan Gardner 3