The San Francisco 49ers have decisions to make Saturday when the roster drops to 53. They have plenty of bubble players playing tonight in the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 49ers lead 7-6 at the end of the first.
Here’s three things that stood out in the first 15 minutes:
C.J. Beathard
In each of the first two seasons of Kyle Shanahan’s tenure with the 49ers, he’s only carried two quarterbacks. After Saturday’s game against the Chiiefs, he said he plans on carrying three this season. Whether he was being up front or maybe playing up the quarterbacks is still to be decided.
The back-up spot is between Beathard and Nick Mullens with the former starting tonight. Beathard went 0-for-3 in his first drive that resulted in a turnover on downs in four plays. On the fourth down attempt, it looked like Beathard looked off an open Deebo Samuel and threw an incomplete pass to Levine Toilolo. Beathard finished the quarter completing three of five passes for 23 yards.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
With the uncertainty surrounding Jerrick McKinnon’s health, Wilson might have a chance to sneak onto the 49ers’ 53-man roster if they choose to carry a fourth running back.
Wilson got the start tonight and impressed in the first quarter He had four carries for 56 yards which included a 41-yard cutback touchdown run with Beathard throwing a key block allowing the back to find the end zone.
Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw is a lock to make to make the roster, but could be fighting for a starting spot at Sam linebacker after Malcolm Smith was cut on Tuesday. The rookie had two tackles including an open-field stop on quarterback Cardale Jones.
