San Francisco’s quarterback shuffle continues into the final preseason game as Nate Sudfeld reportedly is off the roster and Tanner Mordecai is back in the mix. Mac Jones’ injury opened a door for Sudfeld to rejoin, but rapid roster changes have left Mordecai and Carter Bradley anticipated to handle the bulk of snaps in the finale while Brock Purdy contemplates a potential early bite at the top of the depth chart.

Fantasy players should watch how Mordecai and Bradley perform under Shanahan’s system. If Mordecai takes command in the finale, he could emerge as a real late-roster option behind Purdy, especially if Seattle’s defense offers a favorable tune-up. Sudfeld’s stint lingering briefly in and out of the team’s plans underscores how fragile the backup QB pecking order can be in the NFL’s late-summer chess match.

With the Seahawks looming, San Francisco will also try to get wide receivers meaningful looks. The QB dynamic, more than a single game script, will shape how pass-catching options are valued in early fantasy drafts, particularly for a virtually untested Mordecai Bradley pairing and any potential stash candidates on the 49ers’ roster or practice squad.

Kyle Shanahan remains non-committal about the final preseason QB plan for the 49ers, citing two more practices before deciding who starts against the Chargers. With Mac Jones sidelined, San Francisco added Nate Sudfeld, and Brock Purdy’s status is still up in the air for the finale. If Purdy doesn’t start, Sudfeld or Carter Bradley would handle early snaps, Bradley serving as the third QB. The setup points to a measured, injury-averse approach that could limit starter exposure.

For fantasy audiences, the key is the variability in the QB depth chart. Purdy could see limited action, elevating Sudfeld’s early-game value or Bradley’s late-game involvement. Shanahan’s decision week adds a layer of risk to Week 1 projections, as the 49ers weigh rest versus competition in a game that doubles as a depth-chart audition in advance of the regular season.

San Francisco signs Nate Sudfeld to return as a familiar emergency option behind Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, with Tanner Mordecai and Carter Bradley battling for QB depth. Sudfeld’s workout with wideouts sparked the move, signaling the Niners will continue to search for a reliable third quarterback while keeping Purdy protected. The roster outlook suggests Bradley could be the odd man out as San Francisco balances experience with potential upside.

Sudfeld, a former sixth-rounder, has appeared in six NFL games with a 67.6% completion rate, one TD and one INT. He previously signed a guaranteed $2 million contract in SF in 2022 and later tore an ACL with Detroit in the 2023 preseason. San Francisco could stash him on the practice squad for game-day emergency use, while the QB room remains a leaning concern heading into roster cuts and fall camp.

San Francisco’s 22-19 preseason win over Las Vegas sparked a refreshed 53-man roster projection, with depth and rookies driving the biggest shifts rather than injuries. The Niners are prioritizing versatility and pass-blocking depth across the front, while rookie standouts push veterans for snaps at multiple spots.

At quarterback, Purdy remains the clear starter, with Carter Bradley as the lone real challenger behind him; keeping a third QB isn’t favored. In the backfield, McCaffrey anchors the group alongside Guerendo and James, with Kiner’s ankle issue complicating his roster chances and the team weighing a possible waivers-and-practice-squad route for him.

The receiving corps stays six deep, with Gage potentially the odd man out if they keep five, especially if Brandon Aiyuk returns later than expected from the PUP list. At tight end, Tonges secured Dwelley’s spot to maintain two-way usage, while Willis has flashed enough to stick. The offensive line adds interior flexibility with Colby Colby stepping into the ninth spot as Puni’s knee injury lingers, underscoring depth concerns at tackle.

On defense, the 49ers lean into inside punch with front-line talent, but a tightened rotation at end and inside DL remains a concern. Depth at linebacker is balanced, with a six-man group a hypothetical possibility. In the secondary, BYU rookie Jakob Robinson and a handful of versatile vets provide insurance at corner and safety, while Moody’s display solidified his hold on the kicking job. Special teams and the kick return game appear stable, cementing a core for Week 1 while other spots stay hotly contested.

Overall, the emphasis is on securing a functional depth chart that can adapt to a busy season, with rookies or versatile reserves poised to surprise in late-summer action and potentially earn a slice of the 53-man roster that could influence fantasy depth charts and weekly lineup decisions.

San Francisco opened the preseason with a 30-9 loss to Denver in Santa Clara, a result that stings more for fantasy managers than for the final scoreline. Fourteen SF players logged snaps in a game that featured turnovers and inconsistent quarterback play, underscoring the depth concerns and the risk around volatile backup-QB performance early in the year.

Three SF passers combined for multiple interceptions while the 49ers’ offense failed to sustain drives after a bright opening by Patrick Taylor Jr. on the first drive. The Broncos dominated across the major offensive metrics, and Kyle Shanahan voiced clear frustration about the miscues: four turnovers and a clump of sacks and drops that could impact early-season depth charts.

In the fantasy lens, Purdy remains the clear QB1, but the night offered little signal from Mac Jones, Carter Bradley, or Tanner Mordecai—none of whom flashed a path to meaningful Week 1 action. Abdullah’s fumble and the trio of picks raise questions about the backups’ reliability. The second preseason tilt against the Raiders on the road becomes pivotal for evaluating SF’s back-end roster and the potential breakout candidates behind the starters.