San Francisco 49ers: 3 Things to watch in Preseason Week 2

The San Francisco 49ers face the Houston Texans in Week 2 of the preseason. Here we look at three things to watch for in the exhibition clash.

The San Francisco 49ers take on the Houston Texans on Saturday in a second preseason game that may prove crucial in a number of intriguing roster battles.

This weekend’s exhibition appears to be the contest in which the fight for the one key starting role that is up for grabs will finally get going. Meanwhile there are number of interesting competitions further down the depth chart that may hinge on who performs well in Houston.

Here we look at three things to watch for from the 49ers perspective at NRG Stadium.

A crowded running back battle

Injuries to Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida that will keep them each out for the remainder of preseason have shifted the battle for the third running back spot keenly into focus. And this week’s free agent signing of Alfred Morris adds another dimension to an already intriguing competition.

Morris flourished under Kyle Shanahan in Washington. He ran for 2,888 yards and 20 touchdowns in their two seasons together. His past history with the 49ers head coach, and his presence as a potential goal-line back, should make Joe Williams, Raheem Mostert and Jeremy McNichols wary of the threat posed by the veteran.

It was McNichols, having averaged five yards a carry and scored against the Dallas Cowboys, who received the first-team reps in the joint-practices with the Texans. Shanahan, though, was quick to play down the significance of his promotion (h/t Niners Nation):

"“We just try to get a look at everyone. You try to give everyone their opportunity. We have had guys down and other guys like [RB] Joe [Williams] and [RB] Raheem [Mostert], they have gotten more opportunities with the one offensive line. Then, going against one defenses. So, we wanted to give all of the running backs as well as you can, time with the one O-Line. Also, you want to see them go against some NFL defenses. Sometimes those twos and threes aren’t quite NFL defenses yet.”"

Mostert, like McNichols, was able to find some space to run against Dallas, going for 57 yards on eight carries, while Williams struggled for room despite finding the endzone.

This preseason already feels like the last chance saloon for 2017 fourth-round pick Williams. Linebacker Reuben Foster’s suspension may see the 49ers carry four running backs for the opening two weeks of the season, but there is arguably no more fierce battle on the roster than the one for third-string tailback. Saturday may go a long way to deciding who wins the job.

Right guard competition gets going

The offensive line will naturally be key to the running backs having holes to run through, and they struggled to create such creases in the Dallas game. San Francisco’s performance in pass protection, however, was largely impressive and Mike Person was at the forefront of that. Playing right guard, Person held up incredibly well in the passing game.

Person has essentially served as the de-facto starting right guard and the absence of Joshua Garnett and Jonathan Cooper and last week’s display will only have enhanced his hopes of keeping the role. But he will finally have challengers for the job, with Garnett and Cooper both poised to play for the first time in preseason on Saturday.

Garnett, who has taken first-team reps this week, has a particularly difficult challenge to displace Person having little experience of Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. Cooper’s athleticism makes him a stronger bet but, if either of that duo are to take the job from Person, they need to make their case this weekend.

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Much of the focus up front will be on how rookie right tackle Mike McGlinchey handles J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. But, while that challenge will be important for his development, of greater overall significance will be the ability of Garnett and Cooper to push Person in the sole preseason competition for a starting role.

A secondary shuffle

The 49ers have regularly talked up Jimmie Ward’s versatility, but he did not look like a viable backup at outside corner when he gave up a 30-yard touchdown to Dallas rookie Michael Gallup on the opening series last week. Ward also didn’t exactly endear himself to coaches in Wednesday’s practice when he scuffled with Texans star DeAndre Hopkins on the first play of 1-on-1 drills, resulting in both being ejected.

Though fighting is unlikely to impact his standing with the team, the 49ers staff would be forgiven for thinking they would be better served moving Ward to a different role.

Greg Mabin, Tarvarius Moore and Tarvarus McFadden are all better fits to play on the boundary in a Cover 3 scheme. Mabin has impressed with his recent showings in practice and it will be interesting to see if the 49ers shuffle the deck in the secondary somewhat and give him or rookies Moore and McFadden some of Ward’s reps while experimenting with the 2014 first-rounder at different spots on the field.

Honorable mentions

The battle at the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart will rage on in Houston, with the likes of Richie James, Aldrick Robinson and Aaron Burbridge competing for a spot on the roster. Cole Hikutini will want to prove he can make an impact should starting tight end George Kittle’s shoulder injury linger into the regular season.

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Jeremiah Attaochu was back in practice this week after missing the preseason opener with a groin injury. The former Charger is likely to be key to the 49ers’ hopes of having a more potent pass rush in 2018.

Pita Taumoepenu is another unheralded name who has the talent to impact the pass rush, and also played well against the run in the matchup against the Cowboys. Keep an eye out for him getting more of a chance to affect the pass game from the SAM linebacker spot after such a strong showing versus the run.