The 49ers get their first shot at the NFL's new kick-return rules Saturday night when they visit Tennesse to open the preseason.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 49ers suit up to play a game tonight for the first time since, oh, you know.
Overtime. Vegas. Mahomes. Confetti. Again!
The NFL preseason is no bellwether if a Super Bowl run is coming. The 49ers, however, can eyeball depth they’ll need en route to the next Lombardi Trophy presentation in New Orleans on Feb. 9.
Here are five areas to scan when coach Kyle Shanahan’s eighth season – or preseason — opens against the host Tennessee Titans:
1. SPECIAL TEAMS DEBUTS
The NFL’s new kickoff rule might be the only must-see part of preseason games, all due respect to relatives and friends of roster-bubble players.
An abbreviated explanation: Players essentially can not move until the kickoff arrives in the landing zone (between the 20-yard line and goal line) where the receiving team can have up to two players deployed.
The 49ers figure to keep their regular-season strategies under wraps and go with basic elements. But it still will be worth watching who returns kicks and who makes plays.
“It’s all an experiment right now and we’ll see how it goes but I think we’ve been preparing very well,” potential returner Trent Taylor said.
Other special-teams elements to expect are Pressleh Harvin filling in for injured punter Mitch Wishnowsky (knee), and the punt-return competition that figures to feature Taylor, Ronnie Bell, and/or Jacob Cowing.
2. PRO DEBUTS
First-round pick Ricky Pearsall aggravated a shoulder injury Tuesday so it’s unlikely he’ll make his pro debut. Rookie who otherwise could: Cowing (No. 83), quarterback Tanner Mordecai (No. 4); running back Cody Schrader (No. 38); offensive linemen Dominick Puni (No. 77), Jarrett Kingston (No. 62) and Drake Nugent (No. 66); tight end Mason Pline (No. 89); defensive lineman Evan Anderson (No. 66); linebackers Tatum Bethune (No. 48); cornerback Renardo Green (No. 31); and, safeties Malik Mustapha (No. 43) and Jaylen Mahoney (No. 49).
Most regular-season starters will not play, Shanahan said. That won’t stop first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen from making his first play calls along the 49ers’ sideline. Also debuting is Titans coach Brian Callahan, a De La Salle High-Concord graduate and former Serra-San Mateo assistant.
3. QUARTERBACK WATCH
What is a 49ers preseason without some exaggerated mystery about the quarterback position? With Brock Purdy safely stashed on the sideline, Brandon Allen and Josh Dobbs will do their best to state their cases for the QB2 backup job, albeit with a supporting cast replete with reserves.
Allen didn’t play last season as the emergency, No. 3 quarterback – nor as Sam Darnold’s backup in the Week 17 loss to the Rams. Dobbs’ 49ers debut will see him in the No. 5 jersey, last worn by Trey Lance last preseason.
The Titans’ pitching rotation: Will Levis, Mason Rudolph, and Malik Willis.
4. POSITION BATTLES
Offensive tackles Jaylon Moore, Chris Hubbard, Brandon Parker and Sebastian Gutierrez won’t make anyone forget that Trent Williams is holding out amid a contract dispute. But the 49ers need to see if Moore remains their best swing tackle and whether another tackle is worth the 53-man roster. Finding a capable center to back up Jake Brendel also is key for the offensive line, with Nugent, Ben Bartch and Nick Zakelj likely auditioning there this game.
Wide receiver obviously offers intrigue, amid Brandon Aiyuk’s hiatus and the health issues with Pearsall (shoulder), Danny Gray (shoulder) and Cowing (hamstring).
A quartet of 2022 draft picks should see their most significant action since last preseason: linebackers Dee Winters and Jalen Graham, and tight ends Brayden Willis and Cam Latu.
