49ers make 3 changes to unofficial depth chart, have one release to make

The San Francisco 49ers PR department released their unofficial depth chart for Week 3 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, and there are some changes of note. The key to this is the “un” in unofficial because this has little to no input from the coaching staff.

This week’s depth chart includes George Kittle moved into the No. 1 tight end spot over Garrett Celek. This is not breaking news, but catching up with where things stand. Additionally, Matt Breida had previously been listed as the No. 1 running back, and Alfred Morris was listed as the No. 2 running back. It is now listed as Breida OR Morris. The 49ers are using a committee approach, so that make sense.

This week’s most notable change is Reuben Foster added back in as the starting MIKE linebacker. Malcolm Smith is still listed as the WILL linebacker, but we don’t know if he will be healthy enough to play in Week 3, and even if he is, Fred Warner might supplant him on the depth chart.

What is more important for the time being is who will be released to make room for Foster. While suspended, Foster did not count against the 53-man roster limit. The 49ers have to now figure out who to release in his place. The easiest choice would be linebacker Terence Garvin. The 49ers added him to the roster after Brock Coyle was placed on injured reserve, and he played 15 special teams snaps in Week 2. Even if Smith is not healthy enough to play, it makes sense to release Garvin. Foster would replace Elijah Lee in the starting lineup, and Lee would replace Garvin on special teams.