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Four 49ers Players Most In Need of Big Performances in Preseason Week 2
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- Four 49ers Players Most In Need of Big Performances in Preseason Week 2
The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their second preseason game on Thursday night. The 49ers taking on the Los Angeles Chargers , and we know that the starters will play after getting the first game off.
Kyle Shanahan said the starters won't play for long , but it'll be nice to get them some reps. There are several bubble players who will be anxiously waiting to get on the field as well. There are a few position battles still raging, most notably at left guard and safety.
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Today, let's talk about four players who most need a big performance on Thursday night.
OL Carver Willis
Carver Willis has a golden opportunity in front of him. The rookie has officially entered the starting left guard race after Robert Jones and Connor Colby have failed to impress.
Willis missed some time with injury, so he fell behind in the competition. However, the rookie can make up for that with a strong showing against the Chargers. This is truly anybody's job to win, so why not the rookie? Willis' roster spot is not in jeopardy, but he could avoid being relegated to bench duty.
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WR Jordan Watkins
Jordan Watkins is one of several players battling for a spot at the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart. Watkins has been helped by his solid performance in the opener and the injury to Jacob Cowing .
It still could be an uphill battle to stick, though, as rookie UDFA Will Pauling is rapidly rising. Watkins can take away all doubt by putting forth another great showing like he did against the Titans, when he caught six passes for 59 yards.
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Unlike Willis, Watkins isn't guaranteed a roster spot.
LB Nick Martin
You wouldn't think a recent third-round pick would be on the bubble, but that's where Nick Martin finds himself . Martin is stuck in a deep linebacker room with Fred Warner , Dre Greenlaw , Tatum Bethune , Jaden Dugger, and Luke Gifford ahead of him.
Martin did lead the team in tackles last week, but he struggled in coverage. Dugger isn't getting cut as a rookie, and Bethune has been too consistent to move. Gifford is a special teams ace, so he's safe as well. Martin needs to find a way to stand out, and he better do it quickly.
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S Marques Sigle
Marques Sigle has a ton to play for. The safety could genuinely either be a starter, or he could end up being cut. Sigle is currently battling Malik Mustapha for the starting spot next to JI'Ayir Brown.
Mustapha is listed as the starter on the depth chart, which means Sigle will likely get more snaps on Thursday. The Kansas State product needs to separate himself from the competition, because Ashtyn Davis and Jalen Stroman are fighting hard.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
