Overview
- The 49ers elected not to play their regular starters in the Week 1 preseason game after a Wednesday joint practice with the Tennessee Titans produced the reps coaches wanted.
- Defensive tackle Alfred Collins was a notable exception who played Thursday night while most projected starters remained out of the game.
- Tennessee used many of its own starters against San Francisco’s backups, creating an uneven live-snap test for the 49ers’ depth players.
- USA TODAY published an updated projected depth chart that shows the 49ers’ roster picture is still forming and that starters sitting will shift how backups are evaluated.
- Coaches say keeping starters out lowers short-term injury risk, keeps top players fresh for upcoming practices, and leaves Week 2 usage and final roster decisions dependent on further on-field evaluations.