The competition to be Purdy's backup isn't the only roster decision on the line. The 49ers want to see continued growth from rookie Dominick Puni, the presumed front-runner to start at right guard in Week 1. There are also competitions for backup positions at receiver, center, linebacker, and cornerback. The lack of joint practices this year to assess players adds to the difficulty of these decisions, heightening the stakes leading up to cut-down day.
Kyle Shanahan addressed the team's situation, revealing how injury concerns influenced their decision to forgo joint practices. He noted the preference for evaluating players in training over riskier scrimmages, especially given the injuries they have faced lately. The inability to have these joint sessions inhibits the team's opportunities to assess talent under competitive conditions, leaving them to rely heavily on individual practice performances and preseason games.
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