By admin 
It’s almost football time in the Bay Area. The San Francisco 49ers are welcoming in the Tennessee Titans this week for joint practices and the first preseason game.
Ahead of that game later this week, the 49ers released their first unofficial depth chart of the summer. These unofficial depth charts don’t usually matter in the grand scheme, but it provides a glimpse into what the team is thinking.
For the most part, this depth chart looks how we would expect it to look. But there are some surprises, and we’re going to talk about those today.
Demarcus Robinson Listed as Starter
Probably the biggest surprise of the release is Demarcus Robinson being listed as a starter at receiver. We know Robinson has had a solid summer, but nobody expected him to be a starter.
It was thought that Robinson was firmly on the roster bubble, but that doesn’t seem to be the case now. Granted, injuries to Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk have certainly helped Robinson, but still, this coaching staff obviously likes what they’ve seen. I still think rookie De’Zhaun Stribling takes over this role sooner than later.
Robert Jones Over Connor Colby at Left Guard
The left guard battle is one of the most intense battles underway at camp. Veteran Robert Jones, Rookie Carver Willis, and Connor Colby are all competing for the spot.
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Before Tuesday, Colby seemed to be in the lead. Colby has gotten most of the first-team snaps at camp and he’s held up well for the most part. The coaching staff has praised both Jones and Colby, but clearly Jones has the momentum right now. It will be interesting to see how the two hold up this week and how the snaps are distributed in the preseason opener.
Luke Gifford Listed as Starter
Luke Gifford is a good player. In fact, the veteran just made his first Pro Bowl in 2025, as he’s one of the best special teamers in the league. However, Gifford has never contributed much on defense, which is why it’s surprising to see him listed as the SAM linebacker.
This linebacker room is very crowded. Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner are at the top, with Gifford, Tatum Bethune, Nick Martin, and Jaden Dugger behind them. It’s surprising to see Gafford ahead of those other linebackers and it will be interesting to see if it stays that way.
Malik Mustapha Ahead of Marques Sigle
We know Ji’Ayir Brown will be one safety, but who will be the other? Malik Mustapha and Marques Sigle have been splitting reps this summer, and Mustapha has been battling an injury.
Regardless, Mustapha is clearly still in the lead for the job. The defensive back has shown promise in the past, but he needs to be more consistent. It’s a bit surprising to see him listed as the starter right now considering how much practice time he’s missed.
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This story was originally published August 11, 2026 at 11:08 AM.