Don’t expect stars vs. Cowboys
SANTA CLARA >> Picking up where they left off, the 49ers are coping with injury concerns — past, present and future — as they start exhibition action tonight against the Dallas Cowboys.
This year’s Levi’s Stadium debut is not enough to foolishly entice coach Kyle Shanahan to play quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, as well as a host of other projected starters, including new linebacker Kwon Alexander. Others will miss because of injury, such as top draft pick Nick Bosa and fellow pass rusher Dee Ford.
“You absolutely don’t need four preseason games,” Shanahan said. “I’d rather have zero than four. Preferably I’d like two: one to evaluate the people trying to make the team, and then just one to knock a little rust off.”
Here are five areas to watch once the 49ers exhibition season kicks off at 6 p.m.:
1. STRONG, NEW WIDE RECEIVERS DEBUT >> Rookies Deebo Samuel and Jalen Hurd could be the 49ers’ most attractive newcomers, so keep an eye on the secondand third-round draft picks wearing Nos. 19 and 17, respectively.
They’ve shown potential to make great plays as future cornerstones at the position. One reason: their physicality.
Shanahan cited the pair of rookies, along with Kendrick Bourne, as having the
team’s strongest hands. “I want people with aggressive hands where you’re running through the ball, you’re attacking it,” Shanahan said. “People can be on your wrists and stuff, but you are popping that basketball every time. … When you have hands like that you don’t always have to separate, and if you have those type of hands and you can separate, then you have a chance to be special.”
Shanahan didn’t forget about two other receivers he’s drafted in recent years. Dante Pettis, this year’s potential No. 1 wide receiver, drew praise for hand-eye coordination, while slot man Trent Taylor was lauded for his route running and chemistry with Garoppolo.
Outside of those five wide receivers, there might be room for one more on the roster, presumably Marquise Goodwin but not yet ruling out Jordan Matthews and Richie James.
2. ARMS RACE FOR BACKUP QB JOB >> You can’t talk 49ers football without handicapping a quarterback competition, and one certainly exists, just not for Garoppolo’s starting role.
Nick Mullens finished last season going 3-5 as the starter, showing moxie and excitement amid few expectations as a practicesquad call-up. If he’s fared better in camp than C.J. Beathard, it’s not a massive gap, and these exhibitions could decide the QB2 role.
Both Mullens and Beathard (1-9 career starter) are eligible for the practice squad as exceptions who haven’t previously played more than two seasons. The 49ers don’t think either would go unclaimed on the waiver wire, however. Keeping all three quarterbacks is an option as Garoppolo further tests his rebuilt knee.
3. ROOKIE LINEBACKER UNDER LIGHTS >> Introducing a rookie to a NFL stadium with a prime-time kickoff is a chance to see if the so-called “stage” is too big for them. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw has risen to the occasion with big hits and impressive range throughout the offseason and training camp.
Greenlaw knocked fullback Kyle Juszczyk off his feet in practice earlier this week, then quickly realized it wasn’t such a bright idea to decleat the 49ers’ only fullback, much less a perennial Pro Bowler.
“If he knocks down the Cowboy runners that way, then I’ll be a believer,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said. “In practice, the running backs aren’t always thinking that you’re going to come up there and just knock them down. He still has to climb that hurdle for me in terms of tackling and getting guys on the ground, showing that knock back.”
4. CAN SECONDARY MAKE PLAYS, AT LAST? >> Two defensive backs who’ve come on strong are free safety Tarvarius Moore and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. Faring well in exhibitions could verify their strides as potential starters.
Moore’s speed and natural instincts are shining through, since he got moved there from cornerback upon Jimmie Ward’s broken collar bone in May. Adrian Colbert needs to rediscover his play-making prowess and physicality to challenge Moore and Ward, the latter of whom might start team drills next week.
For Moseley, his job hunt could lead to nickel back in place of an injured K’Waun Williams (knee). Moseley also could become the top backup to projected starting cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon, neither of whom might face the Cowboys.
“The dude can play,” Witherspoon said of Moseley. “I was telling him today he was going to have a hell of a game against the Cowboys, then I corrected myself and was, ‘You can play well any day of the year, it doesn’t have to be Preseason (No.) 1’.”
Jason Verrett (ankle) is out all exhibition season, so Greg Mabin and Dontae Johnson figure to see a lot of action despite their veteran status. Also worth studying is whether Marcell Harris can push Jaquiski Tartt at strong safety, as Harris’ coverage skills need to better complement a hard-hitting presence.
5. KITTLE INSURANCE POLICY >> When George Kittle sustained a dislocated shoulder in last year’s exhibition opener, who knew he would go on to setting the NFL record for most yards in a season by a tight end?
No need to tempt Kittle’s fate in this opener, but there is a compelling question as to who will be his top backup; Garrett Celek still hasn’t been medically cleared after offseason back surgery. Ross Dwelley, an undrafted rookie last season, returned this year like a bona fide pro ready to serve as Kittle’s understudy.
The 49ers added competition with Stanford products Kaden Smith (sixthround pick) and Levine Toilolo (seventh-year veteran). Dwelley excelled in Wednesday’s practice, and Smith did the same Thursday.