Isaiah Prince left San Francisco's preseason finale with a left‑leg injury, casting doubt on the 49ers' early depth at offensive tackle as rosters tighten. With Prince potentially sidelined, Austen Pleasants, Spencer Burford, and Nick Zakelj figure to absorb extra work and shape the Week 1 line, which in turn could impact run blocks and pass protection for the backfield.

Burford’s versatility, Zakelj’s length, and Pleasants’ depth role become fantasy-relevant if Prince misses time, since any extended absence could shift linemen roles and influence SF’s early-season efficiency in both the run game and the pass game. Managers should watch Prince’s timeline and any IR chatter as cuts loom.

San Francisco’s preseason backfield was thin from the start, with Christian McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James sidelined. Ameer Abdullah shouldered the early load, but a third‑quarter rib hit forced him out and left the 49ers with Ke'Shawn Vaughn stepping in after being signed just days earlier. The immediate shift underscored how quickly depth can get taxed in the warmups.

Abdullah’s rugged veteran presence was complemented briefly by Patrick Taylor Jr., Corey Kiner, and Abdullah before the injury, with Vaughn poised to absorb extra snaps the rest of the night. Abdullah’s background—All‑Big Ten standout at Nebraska, then a career across several NFL stops—highlights the volatility and value of veteran depth in SF’s backfield. Vaughn’s arrival could illuminate a path to a broader role if Abdullah misses time.

Fantasy angles center on Abdullah’s health and Vaughn’s integration. If Abdullah is sidelined, Vaughn could become the immediate lead for early downs and short-yardage, while Kiner may compete for change‑of‑pace touches. The Broncos game amplified SF’s need for flexibility behind a top option, making Abdullah’s status a key monitor as Week 1 approaches.

Bottom line: this game illustrated SF’s willingness to test options behind McCaffrey, with a veteran’s injury opening the door for Vaughn and potentially elevating Kiner and the rest of the depth chart in fantasy projections to start the season.