49ers Week 2 Depth Chart: Shocking Cuts & Starter Secrets Revealed
San Francisco 49ers 2026 Preseason Update: Who’s Playing & Full Depth Chart Breakdown
Published: August 20, 2026 | Source: USA Today Sports
Quick Summary for Busy Fans
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Brock Purdy named starter for Preseason Week 2 vs. Chargers | First look at QB1 with new weapons |
| Coach Shanahan: "Number of starters" will play (not all) | Better evaluation than Week 1 |
| Rookies De’Zhaun Stribling (WR) & Kaelon Black (RB) climbing depth chart | 2026 draft class making immediate impact |
| Key players on PUP/IR lists | Injury tracking for fantasy & roster decisions |
The Big News: Purdy Gets the Nod
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will start under center when the team faces the Los Angeles Chargers in NFL Preseason Week 2.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan announced after Tuesday’s practice (August 18) that things will look different from Week 1:
"Not all of them, but I expect a number of starters to play, unlike last week. I haven’t told them yet, but they’ll find out soon, but yeah, you guys will see a number out there."
— Kyle Shanahan, 49ers Head Coach
ELI5: What’s "Preseason" Anyway?
Think of preseason like practice games before the real season starts. Teams play 3 games to:
- Test new players
- See who earns a roster spot
- Let starters knock off rust (but not get hurt)
Week 1 = Mostly backups playing
Week 2 = Some starters get limited snaps ← We are here
Week 3 = Closest to real game conditions
Rookies to Watch: The 2026 Draft Class Makes Noise
Two first-year players are climbing the depth chart fast and expected to play against the Chargers:
| Rookie | Position | Draft Status | Why They’re Exciting |
|---|---|---|---|
| De’Zhaun Stribling | Wide Receiver | 2026 Draft Pick | Moving up to 2nd-string behind stars like Mike Evans & Deebo Samuel |
| Kaelon Black | Running Back | 2026 Draft Pick | Listed as co-2nd string behind Christian McCaffrey! |
Fantasy Alert: Both rookies could see regular-season snaps — rare for Day 1 rookies!
Complete 2026 Depth Chart (Unofficial Projection)
Legend: Bold = Projected Starter | (2nd) = Backup | (3rd) = Third String | * = 2026 Rookie
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
- Brock Purdy The franchise QB
- Mac Jones (2nd) Former Patriots 1st-rounder
- Kurtis Rourke (3rd)
- Adrian Martinez (4th)
Running Backs
- Christian McCaffrey All-Pro when healthy
- Jordan James (2nd) | **Kaelon Black* (2nd) ← Rookie making waves!**
- Patrick Taylor Jr. (3rd) | Sincere McCormick (3rd)
- Khalil Herbert (4th) | Zamir White (4th)
Wide Receivers
- Mike Evans Big-bodied veteran target
- Demarcus Robinson
- Deebo Samuel Sr. Swiss Army knife weapon
- Christian Kirk (2nd) | **De’Zhaun Stribling* (2nd) ← Rookie alert!**
- Jacob Cowing (2nd) | Jordan Watkins (2nd)
- Malik Turner (3rd) | Will Pauling* (3rd) | Trenton Irwin (3rd)
- Wesley Grimes* (4th) | KhaDarel Hodge (4th)
Tight Ends
- Jake Tonges Projected starter with Kittle on PUP
- Luke Farrell (2nd) | Brayden Willis (2nd)
- Hayden Rucci (3rd)
- Josiah Deguara (4th)
Fullbacks
No names listed — position may be phased out or filled by committee
Offensive Line (5 Starters + Backups)
| Position | Starter | Primary Backup | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT (Left Tackle) | Trent Williams | Vederian Lowe (2nd) | Enrique Cruz Jr.* (3rd) |
| LG (Left Guard) | Robert Jones | Carver Willis* (2nd) | Kion Smith (3rd) |
| C (Center) | Jake Brendel | Drake Nugent (2nd) | Brett Toth (3rd), Doug Kramer Jr. (4th) |
| RG (Right Guard) | Dominick Puni | Connor Colby (2nd) | — |
| RT (Right Tackle) | Colton McKivitz | Austen Pleasants (2nd) | Brandon Parker (3rd), Isaac Alarcon (4th) |
ELI5: O-Line Positions
LT protects QB’s blind side (most important) | LG/RG = Guards next to center | C = Snaps ball | RT = Right side protector
DEFENSE
Defensive Edge (Pass Rushers / Edge Setters)
| Side | Starter | Backups |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Keion White | Sam Okuayinonu (2nd), Titus Leo (3rd), Xavier Thomas (4th) |
| Right | Nick Bosa Superstar rusher | **Romello Height* (2nd) ← Rookie!**, Quinton Bell (3rd), Ogbo Okoronkwo (4th) |
Defensive Tackle (Interior Run Stoppers / Push)
| Side | Starter | Backups |
|---|---|---|
| Right | Alfred Collins | Sebastian Valdez (2nd), Gracen Halton (3rd), James Thompson Jr. (4th) |
| Left | Osa Odighizuwa | C.J. West (2nd), **Bryson Eason*** (3rd) |
Note: Three rookie DTs (Halton, Thompson Jr., Eason) = Youth movement inside!
Linebackers (Three Types)
| Role | Position Name | Starter | Backups |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM (Strong Side) | Lines up vs. TE side | Luke Gifford | **Jaden Dugger*** (2nd), Jalen Graham (3rd) |
| MIKE (Middle) | QB of defense | Fred Warner All-Pro | Tatum Bethune (2nd) |
| WILL (Weak Side) | Speed, coverage | Dre Greenlaw | Nick Martin (2nd), Garret Wallow (3rd), **Larry Worth III*** (4th) |
ELI5: LB Types
SAM = Strong side (usually vs. TE) — sets edge vs. run
MIKE = Middle — calls plays, tackles everything
WILL = Weak side — fastest, covers RBs/TEs in pass game
Defensive Backs (Secondary)
| Position | Starter | Backups |
|---|---|---|
| RCB (Right Corner) | Deommodore Lenoir | Darrell Luter Jr. (2nd), **Ephesians Prysock*** (3rd) |
| LCB (Left Corner) | Renardo Green | Jack Jones (2nd), Jakob Robinson (3rd), Eli Apple (4th) |
| Nickel (Slot CB) | Upton Stout | Nate Hobbs (2nd) |
| FS (Free Safety) | Ji’Ayir Brown | Siran Neal (2nd), **Jalen Stroman*** (3rd) |
| SS (Strong Safety) | Malik Mustapha | Marques Sigle (2nd), Ashtyn Davis (3rd), Patrick McMorris (4th) |
ELI5: Safety Roles
FS = "Center fielder" — deep middle, reads QB
SS = "Box safety" — near line, runs support, covers TE
Nickel = 5th DB — covers slot WR (huge in modern NFL)
SPECIAL TEAMS
| Role | Primary | Backup(s) |
|---|---|---|
| K (Kicker) | Eddy Pineiro | — |
| P (Punter) / Holder | Corliss Waitman | — |
| PR (Punt Returner) | Jacob Cowing | Jordan Watkins (2nd) |
| KR (Kick Returner) | Deebo Samuel Sr. | Jacob Cowing (2nd), Patrick Taylor Jr. (3rd) |
| LS (Long Snapper) | Jon Weeks | — |
Heads Up: Deebo returning kicks = explosive but risky for a star player
Injury & Roster Status Tracker
Active / PUP List (Physically Unable to Perform)
Count against 90-man roster | Can return anytime after Week 4
| Player | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Isaac Guerendo | RB | Misses start of season |
| George Kittle | TE | Huge loss — elite TE, blocker, leader |
| Mykel Williams | DL | Rookie defender |
Injured Reserve (IR)
Out minimum 4 games | Don’t count on 53-man roster
| Player | Position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ricky Pearsall | WR | 2024 1st-rounder — tough blow |
| Andrew Farmer II | DL | Depth loss |
| Darrick Forrest | S | Safety depth hit |
| **Mikail Kamara*** | DL | Rookie — redshirt year likely |
| K.J. Henry | DL | Veteran depth |
Fantasy Impact: Kittle on PUP = Tonges starts Week 1 | Pearsall on IR = Stribling/Kirk/Cowing get more targets
Key Takeaways for Fans
[!IMPORTANT] 5 Things to Remember
- Purdy starts Week 2 preseason — first real look at offense with new pieces
- Starters WILL play (unlike Week 1) — but limited snaps, likely 1 quarter
- Two rookies (Stribling, Black) are legitimately pushing for roles — not just camp bodies
- Kittle & Pearsall out to start — changes passing game hierarchy immediately
- Defensive line loaded with rookies — 3 DTs + 1 Edge = future building now
What’s Next?
- Preseason Week 2: 49ers @ Chargers — Watch Purdy + rookies
- Preseason Week 3: Dress rehearsal game — Most starters play half
- Roster Cuts: 90 → 53 players by late August
- Week 1 Regular Season: Real games count!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Why does the depth chart say "unofficial"?
A: Teams don’t publish official depth charts until the regular season. This is compiled by beat reporters from practice reps, snap counts, and coach comments. It’s the best guess — but things change!
Q: What does "PUP" mean and when can those players return?
A: Physically Unable to Perform. Players start camp on PUP if not ready. They can be activated anytime — but if they stay on PUP when roster cuts happen, they must miss at least 4 regular-season games.
Q: Are rookies Stribling and Black actually good, or just getting reps because veterans sit?
A: Both earned reps with starters in practice. Shanahan specifically named them as "key players to watch." In Shanahan’s system, rookies who can block & run routes earn trust fast.
Q: Who starts at TE if Kittle is on PUP?
A: Jake Tonges is listed as the starter. He’s a blocker-first TE (like a 6th lineman). Expect more 2-TE sets with Farrell/Willis and Deebo/Kittle-like usage for Deebo until Kittle returns.
Q: Why are there so many rookie defensive linemen?
A: The 49ers drafted 4 DL in 2026 (Height, Halton, Thompson Jr., Eason, Kamara). They’re rebuilding the trench rotation now* while Bosa/Williams/Odighizuwa are in prime — smart long-term planning.
Final Summary
The 49ers enter Preseason Week 2 with:
- QB1 Purdy getting live reps
- Multiple starters suiting up (per Shanahan)
- Two exciting rookies (Stribling, Black) knocking on the door
- Key absences: Kittle (TE), Pearsall (WR), Guerendo (RB) on PUP/IR
- Youth movement on D-line & secondary
Bottom line: This game is your first real glimpse of the 2026 49ers identity. Watch how Purdy connects with Evans/Samuel/Stribling, and whether the rookie rushers (Height, Halton) flash against Chargers backups.
Go Niners! The real season starts soon — but the foundation is being laid right now.
Article compiled from USA Today Sports reporting (August 20, 2026). Depth charts are unofficial projections based on practice observations and reporter intel. Roster statuses change daily during preseason.