A banged-up 49ers unit faced Las Vegas Raiders in joint practices ahead of preseason week two, with injury news dominating the conversation and rookies pushing for roles. Nick Bosa’s neck soreness kept him out, and CJ West suffered a hyperextended knee, shaping how SF groups its pass rush and back end. Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Trent Williams remain anchors, but injuries to Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Jordan Watkins thin the receiver room and elevate young weapons. Marcus Seagull and Alfred Collins flashed, suggesting a deeper, more mosaic defense with multiple rookies in play as SF balances veteran leadership with rookie upside. The Broncos provided a stern preseason test, while the Raiders served as a quick calibration for depth charts. Shanahan emphasized opportunity-driven development, signaling a possible midseason lift as rookies gain experience behind an injury-riddled, increasingly untested defense.

Breaking down the 2025 draft picks for the San Francisco 49ers, interior defensive linemen Alfred Collins and CJ West stand out. Collins, at 6'6" and 332 lbs, brings immense size but is noted for needing improvement in pass-rushing skills. His ability to impact run defense is promising, though concerns linger about his overall agility. West, drafted later, complements Collins as a stout nose tackle with effective leverage and the potential to push the pocket, though both players are seen primarily as run stoppers. The 49ers are looking to enhance their defensive line and improve their run defense with these selections, aiming to recreate the dominant front that characterized their earlier success.