We’ll do a pulse check on the San Francisco 49ers every week. The team is fresh off a joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers, where the secondary struggled. There were some positive performances, like Osa Odighizuwa, but Mike Evans also left practice early.
As the Niners enter their second preseason game, we ask what your biggest concern is about the team.
What is your biggest concern for the 49ers heading into the second preseason game?
We gave you four options in The Feed poll:
We have to discuss the secondary based on the clips circulating from Tuesday’s joint practice.
Yes, there were long-developing plays that were obviously sacks. Osa Odighizuwa and Romello Height clearly touched the quarterback.
But that doesn’t ignore the consistent theme of Deommodore Lenoir, Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, Jack Jones, and Ephesians Prysock trying to catch up to the Chargers wideouts, seemingly always a step behind.
While Romello Height had a sack, is there any concern that the team still doesn’t have enough pass rushers? We know what Nick Bosa brings to the table. Still, Height is a rookie, and it’ll take time for him to find his footing. Mykel Williams is also likely to miss the first game, and maybe even land on the PUP list to begin the season.
That leaves Keion White, Sam Okuayinonu, Ogbo Okronkwo, and a trio of the other veterans the Niners signed during camp. We’re also seeing other free agents, like Jadeveon Clowney and Von Miller, sign one-year deals.
Wide receiver went from a strength to a potential question mark in a matter of weeks. Losing Ricky Pearsall was a major blow. De’Zhaun Stribling figures to play a prominent role in this offense, but again, he’s a rookie. Evans is excellent and will draw coverage in ways no wideout has under Kyle Shanahan.
Will it be enough for the likes of Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, and Stribling to make life easier on Brock Purdy?
The final option is the obvious option: Mounting injuries. You can’t have the luxury of a punting competition when you don’t have enough pass rushers to field a practice. The domino effect has taken its toll on the roster in August. Will the injury bug once again bite the Niners throughout the season?
