San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Alfred Collins is projected to start this season, and he played Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans. Aside from Collins, however, the rest of the 49ers' projected starters sat out the preseason opener.
Meanwhile, the Titans played their starters against the 49ers' projected backups. Head coaches Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh revealed their playing-time plans on Tuesday, following a joint practice between the two teams.
The 49ers' starters got enough work against the Titans during the joint practice that Shanahan felt comfortable holding them out of Thursday night's preseason matchup.
"We decided that before," Shanahan said after Thursday night's game. "I wasn't going to play any of our vets, really. Not any—the vets who were starters. We decided that a little earlier in the week before we went against Tennessee. If we didn't feel we got that work in, it probably would have changed my mind."
Shanahan added that he was pleased with how his starters performed during Tuesday's joint practice. They also got a good workout on Wednesday and Thursday, giving the coaching staff enough confidence that additional preseason reps against the Titans were unnecessary.
As a result, the 49ers' starters should be well-rested when the team resumes practicing this weekend.
"They've gotten some work in, but it'll be good to have them fresh for Saturday, too," Shanahan added.
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