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8 49ers Firmly On the Roster Bubble Heading Into Final Preseason Game
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- 8 49ers Firmly On the Roster Bubble Heading Into Final Preseason Game
The San Francisco 49ers are just a few days away from playing their final preseason game.
The 49ers are going to wrap up the preseason slate with a contest against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, and then they'll have to cut around 40 players from the roster before Sunday. It can be assumed the team knows who will fill most of these spots, but there are definitely a few that are still open.
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Today, let's identify the top eight players who are most firmly on the roster bubble . These are players who could be in or out depending on how this week goes.
QB Kurtis Rourke
Kurtis Rourke is one of the biggest X-factors on the roster. The young quarterback has performed well enough to deserve a spot, and the coaching staff has praised him repeatedly.
The problem is, Rourke has been dealing with an injury. That time away could only hurt Rourke, but it's possible the team has seen enough to keep him around anyway.
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RB Isaac Guerendo
Isaac Guerendo has had a very disappointing summer . The running back has been on the PUP list for a month now, and as a result, he's been unable to make his case for a roster spot.
The 49ers have a clear top three in the running back room, so the big question now is whether or not the team keeps a fourth. Even if they do keep a fourth, there's no guarantee it's going to be Guerendo.
WR Jacob Cowing
Jacob Cowing's offseason has been a rollercoaster. The young receiver first seemed like a lock due to his ability on special teams. Then, as recently as a week ago, Cowing seemed like a long shot after missing time with an injury.
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Cowing came back for the second preseason game, though, and he had an electric punt return touchdown. That's something the 49ers haven't seen much of lately, and Kyle Shanahan was impressed. Will that punt return be enough to keep Cowing around?
OL Enrique Cruz Jr.
Enrique Cruz Jr. seemingly had a lot going for him at the beginning of the offseason. The tackle was just drafted in the fifth round, and the 49ers don't exactly have the most depth at tackle.
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However, Cruz has had some bad moments this summer, and it doesn't seem like he'll be ready for a big role. Austen Pleasants and Vederian Lowe both seem to be above Cruz in the pecking order, so now the question is whether or not the 49ers keep three backup tackles. Cruz seems ticketed for the practice squad.
EDGE Ogbo Okoronkwo
Ogbo Okoronkwo got a late start, but he's done what he can in a limited sample size. The veteran has been a productive edge rusher this preseason, and he's definitely working his way into consideration.
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Okoronkwo is helped by the fact that it seems like Mykel Williams will begin the season on the PUP list. This will free up an extra spot for a guy like Okoronkwo, at least temporarily.
DL James Thompson Jr.
James Thompson Jr. has been incredibly impressive this summer. Thompson and Bryson Eason are both undrafted free agents on the interior defensive line, and both have played well enough to make the team.
The thing is, the 49ers probably can't keep both. Thompson needs another strong performance to really separate himself.
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LB Nick Martin
In any other year, Nick Martin would be a roster lock. The 49ers have a loaded linebacker room , though, and it may be hard to keep Martin around. The second-year player also hasn't performed as well as some of the other depth options.
We know Fred Warner , Dre Greenlaw , Tatum Bethune , Luke Gifford , and Jaden Dugger are making this team. Will the 49ers really keep six inside linebackers? That seems unlikely, but it also seems unlikely to cut Martin.
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CB Nate Hobbs
Nate Hobbs, like Nick Martin, definitely wasn't seen as a bubble player earlier this offseason. However, the emergence of Jack Jones and Ephesians Prysock means Hobbs is really feeling the heat now.
The final corner spot seems to be coming down to either Hobbs or special teams ace Darrell Luter Jr. Can Hobbs do enough to surpass Luter? That seems unlikely with the amount of emphasis the 49ers place on special teams.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
