49ers plan to rest many starters in the final exhibition, aiming to present a different lineup than the regular-season opener on Sept. 7 at Seattle. The team avoided any catastrophic injury to a star player but carries multiple nagging injuries that cloud Week 1 availability. Right guard Dominick Puni sustained a posterior cruciate ligament strain and may not be ready, prompting potential replacements. Ben Bartch could move to left guard if sufficiently recovered, leaving Nick Zakelj or rookie Connor Colby as a right-guard option. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings has been out since July 27 with a calf injury. The Chargers exhibition at Levi's Stadium and a roster cutdown to 53 loom.
SANTA CLARA The 49ers that close out the exhibition season Saturday night against the Los Angeles Chargers should bear no resemblance to the team that plays its regular season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks in Sept. 7. We'll see how many guys get to go in that game, but (we) probably won't play a lot of the starters, coach Kyle Shanahan said. The good news for the 49ers is they've avoided a catastrophic injury to a one of their star players.
RG Dominick Puni: The 49ers' best lineman aside from Trent Williams, Puni sustained a posterior cruciate ligament strain while blocking on a place kick against the Raiders. Puni was so durable he missed only one snap his entire rookie season. He may not be ready to go Week 1. Now the 49ers are faced with having to replace Puni at right guard.
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