The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs face off Saturday night for each team's third preseason game of 2019. And while the third week of exhibition bouts is generally viewed as most teams' regular-season dress rehearsals, the Niners will still be shorthanded for this particular road contest.
Earlier this preseason, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle likely would be able to play if this was a regular season game. Since Kittle doesn't exactly have a lot to prove after a record-setting 2018 campaign, it makes sense the 49ers are holding him back. The same goes with EDGE Dee Ford, although he'll miss out on a chance to take on his former Chiefs squad, which dealt him to San Francisco earlier this offseason.
Among the preseason Week 3 absences, which are the most crucial, are those of Colbert, Taylor and Harris. All three players are squarely on the roster bubble heading towards the regular season. Colbert, in particular, has seen scant field time and missed San Francisco's exhibition bout last week in Denver against the Broncos.
Considering the 49ers' shift of defensive back Tarvarius Moore from cornerback to free safety, along with veteran defender Jimmie Ward returning to action after breaking his collarbone, Colbert needs all the reps he can get to improve his stock. Same with Taylor, who is looking at an awfully deep defensive line in 2019.
NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco later reported wide receiver Jalen Hurd (back) and defensive end Ronald Blair (groin) wouldn't play either.
The Niners and Chiefs kick off on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET from Arrowhead Stadium.
Peter Panacy has been writing about the 49ers since 2011 for outlets like Bleacher Report, Niner Noise, 49ers Webzone, and is occasionally heard as a guest on San Francisco's 95.7 FM The Game and the Niners' flagship station, KNBR 680. Feel free to follow him, or direct any inquiries to his Twitter account.
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