The San Francisco 49ers’ first inactive list of the season is out. They’ll lean into the veterans on the roster tonight, as every player on the inactive list is on a rookie contract:
QB Kurtis Rourke
CB Ephesians Prysock
RB Jordan James
WR Jordan Watkins
LB Tatum Bethune
OT Enrique Cruz
The 49ers having only two running backs active suggests Deebo Samuel will play a pivotal role out of the backfield. Expect him to be an option still in the passing game, but it likely comes from the running back alignment.
If anybody knows how to take on a heavier workload against the Rams, it’s Deebo.
It’s also a sign that the team is comfortable giving Kaelon black touches. Kyle Shanahan said this past offseason that he regrets not involving more running backs last season. It means you’re taking Christian McCaffrey off the field, so it’s understandable. Still, the goal is to keep McCaffrey fresh for the last stretch of the season.
With Watkins inactive, Mike Evans, De’Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing, and KhaDarel Hodge are the wideouts. If Samuel’s role is more underneath, we’ll see whether that means Cowing has a role as the receiver who stretches the field for the offense.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Brock Purdy spread the ball around. We haven’t heard much from Robinson with Stribling’s ascension, but Shanahan relying on a veteran in Week 1 makes far more sense, based on his history.
It’s a mild upset that Bethune is inactive, but Brant Boyer clearly wanted a different body type on specific special teams units than Bethune.
It’s no surprise to see the rookies inactive. Those players weren’t drafted to contribute in 2026.
