SANTA CLARA — The 49ers were missing more than 20 players with various ailments for their final practice of training camp. They’re just trying to make it to Week 1.
For that reason, coach Kyle Shanahan said their preseason finale Thursday night against the Raiders in Las Vegas will more closely resemble their first exhibition than a true dress rehearsal.
Although they won’t suit up many of their starters, there’s still plenty to be gleaned. In fact, it may even be for the best for Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
They must decide which 53 players they’re taking to Australia by Sunday afternoon and should get a long look at those fighting over the last handful of those spots.
There’s still one prominent position battle yet to be decided and many more calls to be made further down the depth chart. Here’s what’s on the line at Allegiant Stadium:
What we can learn by who plays
It will be interesting to see who does and doesn’t suit up, which could tell us which players have locked up starting jobs and have earned the right to be bubblewrapped until the season opener.
De’Zhaun Stribling is one case. The rookie receiver has done about all he could through training camp and the first two preseason games. He’s been noncontact in practice with a shoulder issue, so why risk anything — if Shanahan has seen enough to earn his trust.
Stribling, linebacker Jaden Dugger, edge Romello Height, safety Marques Sigle and defensive tackle Alfred Collins were all among the possible starters who played two weeks ago against the Titans.
Whether they’re in uniform again could reveal if their standing has shifted.
Left guard competition
Attrition has whittled the 49ers’ lone remaining position battle at left guard from five to two: fourth-round rookie Carver Willis and second-year lineman Connor Colby.
“It’s close to being decided, and it needs to be close,” Shanahan said Tuesday.
Willis started last week against the Chargers and has taken the lion’s share of the first-team reps in practice. But he was thoroughly overmatched in 1-on-1 drills Tuesday.
The issue is that Colby, who started six games last season as a rookie, hasn’t grasped his opportunities and has been mostly taking snaps as the second-team right guard.
The good news is that the situation may not be as dire as it appears: Shanahan said Austen Pleasants and Robert Jones, who were also competing for the job but were sidelined by injuries, will fly with the team to Australia, a good sign both are expected back sooner rather than later.
Do 49ers have depth to withstand veterans’ injuries?
You’re probably going to see a lot of Jordan Watkins, Will Pauling, KhaDarel Hodge, Malik Turner, Trenton Irwin and Wesley Grimes. Whoever among this group of receivers makes the roster will likely take a spot initially reserved for Christian Kirk.
Kirk and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe are candidates to open the year on injured reserve with a designation to return, Shanahan said. Both veterans were brought in as free agents to play supporting roles but suffered injuries on the first day of camp and haven’t practiced since.
In Lowe’s case, that puts the onus on fifth-round rookie Enrique Cruz Jr., who is sure to see plenty of snaps Thursday night. Cruz was considered a project when he was drafted, but without Lowe, signed to be the backup swing tackle, he could be pushed into an important role if anything were to happen to Trent Williams or Colton McKivitz.
Linebacking corps
Of the potential starters, one of the likeliest to play is probably Dugger, the rookie linebacker. He fits the physical profile for the new hybrid “Fever” backer role in new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ system and has experience playing multiple positions in college.
He has taken most first-team reps alongside Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw but has shown his rawness at times. Beyond Dugger, the linebacker position is an interesting one with many difficult decisions to be made.
Larry Worth III has a similar long, athletic build and has stood out in recent practices. It’s been a good end of camp for Garret Wallow, who could capitalize on Nick Martin’s hamstring injury.
Luke Gifford, a Pro Bowl special teamer last season, remains the third linebacker listed in bold on the 49ers’ unofficial depth chart. But he has missed most of camp with a hamstring injury.
Clearly, Morris was unsatisfied with the current state of the position as the 49ers went out and traded for Deion Jones, a former Pro Bowler who has played for Morris.
Jones made his practice debut Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if he’ll play Thursday.
Can James Thompson Jr. seal his roster spot?
Perhaps there’s been no better story this training camp than Thompson, an undrafted free agent who has exceeded all expectations. The defensive tackle from Illinois won just about every 1-on-1 matchup during their final practice Tuesday.
Now is his chance to deliver a happy ending with an impactful performance Thursday night to convince the 49ers he’s worth keeping on the 53-man roster.
