Latest news with #ChaseLucas
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chase Lucas grateful for chance to play entire game in 49ers' preseason loss
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chase Lucas speaks to reporters after his team's preseason loss to the Denver Broncos on Saturday at Levi's Stadium. Chase Lucas grateful for chance to play entire game in 49ers' preseason loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
49ers 53-man projection: Loading up the numbers on offensive, defensive lines
One might think it will be hard for coach Kyle Shanahan to pick 53 players after watching his team get outscored 30-0 in the last three quarters of Saturday's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos. As in, he might just stop at, say, 45. But the San Francisco 49ers will have another couple of preseason games for untested and undrafted players to try to carve out spots for themselves. They can look to cornerback Chase Lucas, a practice squad player last year, and Sebastian Valdez, an undrafted rookie defensive tackle, as examples. Advertisement Lucas had a pass breakup, forced a safety on a blitz and also had five solo tackles against the Broncos. 'He's kind of our Energizer Bunny,' Shanahan said. 'He was on the practice squad all last year doing it, helping on offense and defense. He's had a hell of a camp and I thought he did a hell of a job.' Valdez is a 6-foot-3, 301-pound block of granite who benched pressed 225 pounds 34 times at his pro day at Washington. Niners offensive linemen respectfully call him 'Hulk,' and Saturday, he pushed his way to half a sack and a tackle for a loss. 'I'd say he flashed the most (Saturday),' Shanahan said. 'Just noticed him out there.' Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur noticed some stuff as well, and here is their first stab at a 53-man roster projection: Rookies in italics Cut: Carter Bradley, Tanner Mordecai IR: Kurtis Rourke The 49ers put their money on Purdy. And Jones had a touchdown drive against the Broncos starters on Saturday, so Shanahan is pretty happy with his top two quarterbacks. Let's never discuss the other two quarterbacks' performances from that night again. Cut: Corey Kiner, Ameer Abdullah, Jeff Wilson Jr. McCaffrey's return to health and being among the best players on the field has been the story of training camp. As for everybody else, the hope is that the walking wounded will be ready by the opener. Guerendo (shoulder) and James (finger) looked good before they went down, and the 49ers brought back old friend Wilson just in case. Taylor makes it for his special teams play. PUP: Brandon Aiyuk Likely suspended: Demarcus Robinson Advertisement Cut: Junior Bergen, Terique Owens, Isaiah Hodgins, Robbie Chosen Shanahan assured the masses again after the game that Jennings (calf) is really hurt and not just waiting for a new contract. We guess that is good news. Cowing could be back from a hamstring injury this week and will have a chance to hold off the rookie Watkins for a sizable role behind Jennings and Pearsall. Veterans Robinson and Gage have both had nice camps, which ought to give Shanahan some peace of mind with Aiyuk out until October. Cut: Jake Tonges, Ross Dwelley Willis, Tonges and Dwelley are similar in that they can do a little of everything and are reliable in the pass game. Though we think Willis has stood out slightly in training camp, the winner might be whoever special teams coordinator Brant Boyer likes most. Cut: Isaiah Prince, Matt Hennessy, Drake Nugent, Drew Moss, Isaac Alarcon While some may have doubts about this unit, the coaching staff felt strongly enough that there wasn't really any competition for starting jobs. Bartch has stepped in for the departed Aaron Banks at left guard, and the staff is confident in the other three linemen improving as they flank future Hall of Fame left tackle Williams. The depth is shaky, but maybe Dillard, a 2019 Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick, can shore that up when he returns from an ankle injury this week. Cut: Robert Beal Jr., Sam Okuayinonu, Jonathan Garvin, Jaylon Allen, Bruce Hector, Bradlee Anae Advertisement IR: Kevin Givens Could Beal make the squad ahead of Valdez or Anderson? It's possible. He's looked good over the past few days and also has been playing on the 49ers' top special teams units. A recent groin injury, however, will be an obstacle. Flashes from the rookie ⚡️ — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 10, 2025 Cut: Jalen Graham, Curtis Robinson, Stone Blanton Warner and Winters are every-down players, which means the other four must be core special teamers. Gifford and Surratt are especially strong in that department. Cut: Darrell Luter Jr., Jakob Robinson, Fabian Moreau The player to watch at this position is Robinson, the undrafted rookie who's been sticky in coverage. The 49ers tried to get D'Shawn Jamison, a cornerback with a similar pedigree, to the practice squad two years ago, and he was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. Cut: Derrick Canteen, Jaylen Mahoney, Siran Neal PUP: Malik Mustapha Pinnock has a big lead at one of the starting safety spots. The other? It's a three-man race among Brown, Grant and Sigle, who looked good in his NFL debut. Neal might merit consideration as a core special teamer. He was on all the main units on Saturday. There's no competition at any of these spots, and Moody didn't even attempt a field goal against the Broncos. He's had mixed results in the 49ers' next venue, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Top photo of Sebastian Valdez chasing Broncos QB Jarrett Stidham: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
