Full Breakdown
Final Preseason Showdown: 49ers vs. Raiders – Roster Battles Ahead of the Cut-Down
8/28/2026, 2:07:21 AM
Core Event
On Thursday night the San Francisco 49ers host the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium for the NFL’s final preseason exhibition. Both clubs will field limited starters, using the game primarily to evaluate fringe players before the league-mandated 53-man roster deadline on Sunday.
Background & Context
The 49ers must trim a roster swollen by more than 20 injuries and then fly to Melbourne, Australia, for a Week 1 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. “That’s one of their bigger challenges, just having to get everyone, get our practice squad ready, all that stuff a lot sooner than other teams are going to have to,” — Kyle Shanahan, playing head coach.
The Raiders, in the first year of Klint Kubiak’s rebuilding plan, entered the preseason with a brand-new coaching staff and a roster that added nearly 20 players via free agency and the draft. Their final preseason outing is the last chance to resolve lingering questions about the guard battle, safety depth, and wide-receiver consistency before the cut-down.
Key Position Battles
San Francisco –
*Left Guard*: rookie Carver Willis and second-year lineman Connor Colby are the primary contenders; veterans Rob Jones (calf) and Austen Pleasants (knee) remain possible backups.
*Safety*: Marquis Sigle, Malik Mustapha (hamstring) and Ashtyn Davis are vying for the role.
*Linebacker*: Jaden Dugger competes behind Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw for a third-LB slot.
*Wide Receiver*: Jordan Watkins seeks to solidify a No. 4 spot after Jacob Cowing’s groin injury.
*Defensive Line*: Nick Bosa (ACL recovery), Mykel Williams (ACL) and Keion White (adductor) are on limited practice schedules, leaving veteran Sam Okuayinonu and rookie Romello Height as immediate contributors.
Las Vegas –
*Guard*: Jackson Powers-Johnson and Caleb Rogers are slated to face off for the right-guard job.
*Safety*: Treydan Stukes, a second-round pick praised for “incredible short-area burst,” is battling Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses.
*Wide Receiver*: Malik Benson and Jalen Nailor are the primary targets, though both have drawn criticism for route-running lapses.
*Running Back*: Mike Washington Jr. has emerged as a potential starter while rookie Ashton Jeanty recovers from an ankle sprain.
*Quarterback*: First-overall pick Fernando Mendoza remains in the mix with veteran Kirk Cousins; Kubiak declined to name a starter.
Official Statements & Responses
Shanahan indicated the 49ers will limit starter participation on Thursday to preserve health for the upcoming travel and give fringe players a final audition.
“We put it on ourselves as coaches No. 1, with how we educate them, what we’re practicing, what we’re drilling, and it’s on us, as coaches, to get it fixed,” — Klint Kubiak.
Both coaches agreed the final preseason matchup is a major challenge for evaluating talent under tight timelines.
What’s Next
Both clubs must submit their 53-man rosters by Sunday afternoon. The 49ers travel to Australia for their regular-season opener on Thursday, while the Raiders open the season against the 49ers in Week 9. The final preseason game therefore serves as the last measurable indicator of which players will carry the load when the regular season begins.
