Man, the San Francisco 49ers are kicking off their preseason tonight, hosting the Tennessee Titans, and while you probably won’t see many starters, don’t even *think* this game isn’t huge. We’re talking about players fighting for their careers, trying to lock down a spot on that 53-man roster. This isn’t just meaningless football, it’s a battle for survival for some guys.
The Wideout Battle is Getting Wild
Alright, so the wide receiver room? It’s intense. You’ve got Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson, De’Zhaun Stribling, and Deebo Samuel basically set in stone. But with Ricky Pearsall out, there’s a serious opening, and Jordan Watkins has to seize it. Christian Kirk, the veteran, hasn’t even been seen yet, and Jacob Cowing’s got a hip flexor that’s got the clock ticking loud for him. The team just waived Junior Bergen, which is a massive signal they’re comfortable with Watkins returning kicks, maybe even as the lead punt returner.
But here’s the deal: Watkins, a former fourth-round pick, totally missed his chance as a rookie in 2025 because of an injury. Now, playing with Adrian Martinez, the fourth-string quarterback, he has to prove he can make plays against someone other than his own teammates. Remember last preseason, when he had that big play before getting sidelined with a high-ankle sprain? Catching the ball cleanly has been an issue in camp, which is brutal. He needs to show up, use that speed over the middle, and finish plays in contested situations. If he does, he could cement a spot, not just on the roster, but in the actual rotation. Tonight is his moment to deliver.
Can the Rookie O-Lineman Step Up?
Then there’s the left guard spot, which is basically an open audition right now. Robert Jones has been taking the reps lately, but that might just speak to Connor Colby’s situation more than Jones’s own dominance, especially since Jones missed all of 2025 with a neck injury. This is where rookie Carver Willis comes in. He’s not going to win the job in Week 1 of the preseason, but he absolutely can earn more snaps with the starters as these exhibition games roll on.
If Jones plays a series or two, just to shake off some rust, Willis needs to come in and play a quarter or two. This isn’t just about left guard either, because Willis should see time at center too. The 49ers are going to take a long, hard look at him at left guard until Jones is officially named the starter. Willis has to make every snap count.
This Thursday night isn’t just another preseason game. For guys like Jordan Watkins and Carver Willis, it’s their first real shot to show the coaching staff they belong. They need to light it up and put themselves firmly in contention for those roster spots, or the next few weeks could get real stressful.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
Leave a Reply