Wide receiver figures to be one of the more provocative storylines amid the San Francisco 49ers' preseason finale Thursday night against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers at Levi's Stadium.
A number of fringe players are dressing for the contest, namely Richie James, Jordan Matthews and Kendrick Bourne.
#49ers WR Jordan Matthews is suited up for what would be the first time in his 6-year career he's played in an exhibition finale Other WRs playing: Deebo Samuel, Richie James Jr., Malik Henry Chris Thompson, Nick Williams. No Goodwin, Pettis, Taylor, Hurd
Pettis has been something of a hot topic ever since he stayed on the field for all four quarters during the Niners' 27-17 exhibition win over the Kansas City Chiefs last Saturday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan later told reporters Pettis still had to earn a role on this team, yet later clarified he was trying to push the second-year wide receiver a bit more.
While that's most likely true, Shanahan and the 49ers do have a number of other question marks to ask about their wide receiver depth before roster cuts are announced leading up to the Saturday, Aug. 31 deadline at 1 p.m. PT.
Matthews and Bourne could be competing for a single spot, while James can't be seen as a total lock despite a strong preseason.
Perhaps removing Pettis from this final competition before the regular season allows Shanahan to observe these other crucial battles at the position.
The Niners and Chargers kick off on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. PT.
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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