Nick Wagoner
Multiple Authors
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers open the 2026 NFL regular season in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET in Melbourne, Australia. But first, the 49ers play yet another preseason sport (Thursday at the Raiders) after which should minimize their roster to 53 gamers by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Who will make the crew and the place would possibly the lineup be deepest and thinnest this season?
The 49ers have powerful selections at a number of key positions, equivalent to broad receiver, linebacker and offensive line. But accidents have additionally muddled the image at operating again and line of defense, resulting in questions on who will fill out these spots.
Here is our projection for the 53-man roster for the 49ers.
Quarterbacks (2)
The query right here is whether or not Kurtis Rourke has completed sufficient to persuade the 49ers to maintain three signal-callers. He performed effectively in his preseason debut however suffered an harm that prevented him from constructing extra of a case, which implies the crew may look to do some roster juggling to get him to injured reserve with out utilizing an additional roster spot.
Running backs (4)
Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, Jordan James, Kaelon Black
Injuries to McCaffrey, James, Black and Isaac Guerendo have made this some of the tough teams to mission as a result of it is unclear who can be accessible as soon as the season begins. Guerendo may start the season on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) record if the Niners need to maintain onto him.
Wide receivers (7)
Mike Evans, De’Zhaun Stribling, Deebo Samuel Sr., Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, Christian Kirk, Jacob Cowing
There’s loads to kind out right here after Ricky Pearsall‘s season-ending knee surgical procedure. Kirk has barely practiced due to a calf harm, which implies his standing is an enormous query. Cowing is essentially the most dependable returner on the roster and had an 83-yard return for a rating in opposition to the Chargers, which most likely lands him a spot. We’ll hold all three of Watkins, Cowing and Kirk for now however this looks as if a great place for some roster gymnastics the place a vested veteran like Kirk may go and be introduced again later.
Tight ends (3)
George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Jake Tonges
These three are in with Kittle’s return from the PUP record on Sunday. Brayden Willis has had a great camp however may most likely sneak via to the observe squad.
Offensive linemen (9)
Trent Williams, Jake Brendel, Colton McKivitz, Dominick Puni, Robert Jones, Brett Toth, Carver Willis, Vederian Lowe, Connor Colby
This is one other tough spot to mission due to accidents. Willis and Toth have missed time with concussions, and the 49ers have three, possibly 4 gamers vying to be the beginning left guard. Jones and Colby have been the frontrunners, however Willis appears like he is the present chief. Lowe has missed nearly all of camp, however signed to be the swing sort out whereas Austen Pleasants was in a great place earlier than a knee harm that might land him on injured reserve. Rookie Enrique Cruz Jr. doubtless wants an excessive amount of work to land on the preliminary 53, however he would make sense on the observe squad.
Defensive linemen (9)
Nick Bosa, Osa Odighizuwa, C.J. West, Alfred Collins, Sam Okuayinonu, Romello Height, Keion White, Gracen Halton, James Thompson Jr.
Mykel Williams has been doing plenty of work on aspect fields as he recovers from a torn ACL, however we’ll mission him to start the 12 months on PUP and miss the primary 4 video games. From there, it is plenty of guesswork as Bosa, West, Collins, White and Halton have all handled accidents this preseason. Thompson is the shock right here after getting some run with the starters when West and/or Collins have missed observe time.
Linebackers (7)
Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Jaden Dugger, Tatum Bethune, Luke Gifford, Nick Martin, Garret Wallow
The Niners do not normally go this heavy at linebacker, however this is likely to be the deepest group on the roster — and in addition may very well be a logical spot for a doable commerce. It’s price noting that with new coordinator Raheem Morris answerable for the protection, there are some names right here who can fill a number of roles. Dugger heads that record, and he appears to have a great shot to be the “fever backer.” Bethune, Martin, Gifford and Wallow have jockeyed for roles on particular groups. Rookie Larry Worth III is hard to depart off right here, too.
Cornerbacks (5)
Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Jack Jones, Ephesians Prysock
A groin harm for Nate Hobbs doubtless means he lands on injured reserve, or the Niners launch him with the possibility to return when he is wholesome. Darrell Luter Jr. has caught round repeatedly, however Prysock’s emergence permits them to get a bit youthful right here whereas preserving Jones as a flexible backup.
Safeties (4)
Ji’Ayir Brown, Malik Mustapha, Marques Sigle, Siran Neal
Safety is one other place the place the Niners may look so as to add extra assist by way of commerce or the waiver wire. The actual drama right here is whether or not Mustapha or Sigle will begin subsequent to Brown, and whether or not it is Neal or Ashtyn Davis (or neither) for a fourth spot. Neal will get the nod for his particular groups excellence.
Special groups (3)
Jon Weeks (LS), Corliss Waitman (P), Eddy Pineiro (Ok)
The Niners appear to have made their resolution at punter, going with Waitman over rookie Jack Bouwmeester and locking in these three spots.