On the eve of their preseason opener, the San Francisco 49ers come in at 16 on NFL.com preseason power rankings. Aside from the practice fights, whether it's internal or against the Tennessee Titans, nagging injuries continue to be the story at camp. While long-term playing prospects do not appear to be in jeopardy, there is enough concern that signings are being made just to maximize depth and playing opportunities this week.
The running back room is banged up, so Zamir White and Khalil Herbert were signed and likely get carries. Nick Bosa's status is now week-to-week with his knee tendinitis, so recently signed Xavier Thomas and Ogbo Okoronkwo will likely be in the rotation.
The 49ers have consistently dealt with these injuries the last few years. The PCL injury to Ricky Pearsall is a gut punch, as he will miss the season. KhaDarel Hodge was signed, and the reunion is complete with Deebo Samuel back in the fold.
The goofy conspiracy theories regarding the electrical substation and the role its proximity plays in these injuries aside, overcoming this adversity during camp is nothing new, as NFL Writer Nick Shook suggests.
"I'm likely underrating San Francisco at this stage, but that's why the Power Rankings are performed frequently - - almost as frequently as the visits the 49ers receive from the injury bug," Shook wrote. "Yes, for yet another year, the Niners are already adjusting to losses. Ricky Pearsall is done for the season, George Kittle is still working back from the Achilles injury he suffered in January, and three other receivers (Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, De'Zhaun Stribling) are battling ailments. The good news: The 49ers still reached the Divisional Round last season despite dealing with a ton of injuries. They're nothing if not experienced on how to endure such challenges. "
We're less than a month away from the season opener down under. This team needs to hit an opponent where they can be assessed under normal circumstances. Many starters will sit this week, so there will be plenty of repetition for most rookies and veterans.
Left guard and back end depth at wide receiver, running back, and secondary are all notable to watch for this week. The results don't matter at all, but presuming many players impress this week, that's a positive sign for future camp practices and the rest of August, as the preseason gets underway.
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