LET’S GET IT STARTED
49ers set to host Cowboys tonight in preseason opener
SANTA CLARA – Levi’s Stadium will open its gates tonight to a 49ers season brimming with playoff expectations.
Before the regular-season games count, and before Jimmy Garoppolo bobblehead dolls are dished out at the Sept. 16 home opener, the 49ers must first get through their exhibitions.
Here are five things to expect in tonight’s exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys:
1. Starters make cameo: Garoppolo and most of starters will play at least a series, then surely be gone by the second quarter. Garoppolo, Tom Brady’s stunt double the previous four exhibition seasons in New England, doesn’t need to be exposed to injury or show how much he now grasps Kyle Shanahan’s system. C.J. Beathard, come on down!
“We’ll see how long the opening drive is,” Shanahan said of tonight’s script. “Usually, the second game, you play guys a little more into the second quarter. Usually, the third game, they play the whole first half and sometimes start the third quarter. Then, the fourth game, they rarely play.”
A year ago, in Shanahan’s exhibition debut at Kansas City, thenstarting quarterback Brian Hoyer lasted two series, having failed to get a first down and actually lost 7 yards in their first series.
Injured players unlikely to suit up are cornerbacks Richard Sherman (hamstring) and K’waun Williams (ankle), guards Joshua Garnett (knee) and J.P. Flynn (knee), defensive end Arik Armstead (hamstring), linebacker Brock Coyle (hip) and tight end Cole Wick (knee).
2. Ordinary Joe?: Running back Joe Williams is enjoying a revival this training camp and should lead the 49ers in rushing for a second straight exhibition season. Williams hasn’t played since last August, when he ran for 130 yards in four exhibitions and then went on injured reserve (ankle) amid renewed questions about his passion.
“I’m just excited to watch him play out on the field,” Shanahan said. “I’m a lot more excited now than I was last year just because of what he’s shown in practice. … He’s come a long way in a year and he’s given himself a chance to Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and most of the 49ers’ starters will play at least one series tonight and will likely be gone by the second quarter.
be a good running back.”
He won’t pass Jerick Mckinnon or Matt Breida on the depth chart, so the No. 3 role is an intense battle between Williams and Raheem Mostert, whose special-teams prowess gives him an early edge. Also competing are Jeremy Mcnichols and Jeff Wilson.
3. Receiver depth: Once Marquise Goodwin and Pierre Garçon make an early exit, the 49ers can evaluate their improved depth at wide receiver, even more so if Trent Taylor (back) rests.