The San Francisco 49ers, per usual, have been full of storylines as August begins. Camp is here, and it means news and notes out of California, which have been plentiful in the Bay Area.

Kyle Shanahan’s accident, Ricky Pearsall’s knee that led to the return of Deebo Samuel, and an injury to Mike Evans have all dominated news in Santa Clara. But what about the product on the field? We asked Grok to help us simulate what the 49ers’ starting lineup could look like after the first week of camp.

Simulated San Francisco 49ers 53-man roster and projected starting lineup after one week of 2026 training camp

This is a projection based on early camp reports, depth chart observations, injury news (Ricky Pearsall on season-ending IR with a knee injury; George Kittle, Mykel Williams, Isaac Guerendo, and Alfred Collins among those who opened or spent time on active/PUP; various soft-tissue issues hitting the edge group and others), roster moves (Deebo Samuel Sr. return, Khalil Herbert, Titus Leo, Ogbo Okoronkwo, KhaDarel Hodge additions; various waivers/IRs), and analyst projections (especially Matt Maiocco’s post-Week 1 projection and similar ones). Final 53 decisions come later (after preseason), and many spots remain fluid due to injuries and competition. Numbers are approximate/current where available.

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Offense (25)

QB (3): Brock Purdy, Mac Jones, Kurtis Rourke RB/FB (5): Christian McCaffrey, Kaelon Black, Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo (rehabbing pectoral; status uncertain), Kyle Juszczyk (FB) WR (6): Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., De’Zhaun Stribling, Demarcus Robinson (or Christian Kirk if healthy enough), Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing TE (3): Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis (George Kittle on PUP/rehabbing Achilles; could be stashed or activated later) OL (8–10, leaning 9–10): Trent Williams (LT), Connor Colby (LG — early edge in competition), Jake Brendel (C), Dominick Puni (RG), Colton McKivitz (RT), Vederian Lowe, Robert Jones, Brett Toth, Carver Willis, Enrique Cruz Jr. (developmental/protectable)

Defense (25)

DL (9): Nick Bosa, Osa Odighizuwa, Alfred Collins, C.J. West, Sam Okuayinonu, Keion White, Romello Height, Gracen Halton, Kevin Givens (or recent additions like Ogbo Okoronkwo/Titus Leo/K.J. Henry filling edge depth amid early injuries; Mykel Williams on PUP) LB (5): Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Tatum Bethune, Nick Martin, Jaden Dugger (special-teams contributors like Luke Gifford or Garret Wallow in the mix) CB (5–6): Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Upton Stout, Jack Jones, Darrell Luter Jr. (Nate Hobbs and others competing; Ephesians Prysock a late riser candidate) S (4): Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown, Marques Sigle, Siran Neal (Ashtyn Davis special-teams value)

Special Teams (3)

K: Eddy Piñeiro P: Corliss Waitman (or Jack Bouwmeester — ongoing battle) LS: Jon Weeks

Notes on roster construction: Total prioritizes protecting young talent (rookies/second-year players like Stribling, Black, Colby, Height, Halton, Cruz, Willis) while covering injuries. Practice squad would likely hold developmental pieces (e.g., certain UDFAs, bubble veterans). Brandon Aiyuk remains on the reserve/left squad list (does not count against the 53). Recent signings address WR and edge depth. Cap space is healthy per early projections.

Projected Starting Lineup (base 11 personnel / common packages; subject to health)

Offense

• QB: Brock Purdy
• RB: Christian McCaffrey
• FB (when used): Kyle Juszczyk
• WR: Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel Sr., Christian Kirk / De’Zhaun Stribling (slot/outside mix; Kirk dealing with calf)
• TE: Jake Tonges (or George Kittle if cleared)
• LT: Trent Williams
• LG: Connor Colby
• C: Jake Brendel
• RG: Dominick Puni
• RT: Colton McKivitz

Defense (base/4-3 or hybrid under Raheem Morris; five-man fronts common)

• DE: Nick Bosa
• DT: Osa Odighizuwa
• DT/NT: Alfred Collins / C.J. West
• DE: Mykel Williams (or Keion White / Sam Okuayinonu / Romello Height if Williams limited)
• LB: Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw (Nick Martin/Tatum Bethune rotating)
• CB: Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green
• Nickel: Upton Stout / Nate Hobbs / Jack Jones
• S: Malik Mustapha, Ji’Ayir Brown

Special teams starters

Piñeiro (K), Waitman/Bouwmeester (P), Weeks (LS); returns likely involving Cowing/Watkins/Samuel/Black or similar.

Camp is only one week in, with pads just starting and preseason still ahead (joint practices, games vs. Titans/Chargers, etc.). Injuries (especially along the defensive line and at skill positions) and performance in the coming weeks will reshape the final 53. Young players and special-teams standouts have the clearest paths to bubble spots. This reflects the current landscape of talent, health, and early trends rather than a locked-in roster.