Determining Who May Be The Week 1 Inactives

The title for this article could more appropriately be “Figuring Out How to Keep Jarryd Hayne on the Field”. As a return man, the 49ers likely have no questions about Hayne’s open-field abilities, but it is important to remember that throughout the preseason, teams are tinkering with gunners on coverage units to determine how to best maximize players who may be on the bubble during cuts. In short, Hayne may not have consistently been seeing the best gunners each team expected to start Week 1. Nonetheless, the 49ers could use a little good publicity to open the regular season and allowing Hayne to see the field. This will certainly provide a story to keep fans minds off of Brooks’ continuing legal issues, and the absences of so many faces from last year. In order for Hayne to be a part of the 46 active players on Monday night, he will have had to convince the coaches that he provides more than seven other players on the roster. Assuming he has done so, let’s look at who may be inactive, creating space for Hayne.

In order to determine how the coaching staff may be looking at creating an active roster, I compared the Week 1 53-man roster of 2014 to the newly determined 53-man roster of 2015. Obviously, factors like injury and presence in training camp were reflected in the initial roster last year, and will continue to be something to monitored with the likely return of Daniel Kilgore later in the current season. For the purposes of this exercise, let’s assume that each roster is fair to assess as it was presented to us hungry fans by the coaches. The shape of the roster is relatively similar to last year with one less quarterback (Josh Johnson began 2014 on the 53-man roster) and an extra running back in 2015 (4 to 3). Other positions have varied slightly, but those two positions seem to carry the most weight in keeping Hayne active this week.

An initial reaction to the 53-man roster when compared to last year is to recognize the positional versatility of multiple players. Reggie Bush, listed as the second running back on the depth chart, is known to be an impressive receiving threat both out of the backfield and in the slot. Blake Bell, listed as the fourth tight end, can play emergency quarterback if necessary and offers height in the redzone that seems to be lacking every season. Tony Jerod-Eddie played some outside linebacker in the final preseason game and, while not as explosive as a starter may be, he proved to be serviceable in stopping the run, and displayed encouraging versatility at a position that few may have considered him to play. With players being able to function in a variety of roles, coaches are able to manipulate the roster every week to best matchup with the opponent in regards to who will be active every week.

When the 49ers coaching staff are forced to list inactives for the Monday Night Football opener, who can we expect to see them sit, assuming we are working to keep Hayne on the field?

Quinton Patton- The third-year receiver hasn’t shown up as much as he should have throughout the preseason, especially considering the injuries ahead of him, and the open path that he had to securing the number three receiver role (in Jerome Simpson’s absence) to start the season. With the above-mentioned versatility of Reggie Bush, a receiver has to sit and Quinton Patton is the chosen odd man out. DeAndrew White, while young and inexperienced, may be nearly equal with Patton and that is enough of a reason to keep him active and give him an opportunity to continue developing against opponents each week.

Shareece Wright- Similarly to last year, the coaching staff has kept five cornerbacks on the roster for 2015. Last year Chris Cook opened the season on the inactive list and this year Shareece Wright does the same. After being handed the starting cornerback role he was regularly outplayed by the younger, second-year cornerbacks on the roster. This move may not be so much of a slight against Wright as it is an affirmation of the younger players stepping up.

Mike Purcell- Despite looking like the best defensive player, besides Bowman, on the roster throughout the preseason, there simply isn’t space for this many defensive lineman on the starting roster. Remember that, because of the versatility of many players, the inactives may change week-to-week and against heavy passing teams the coaching staff may opt to keep all seven defensive lineman active to rotate in. Purcell will get his chance but not this week.

Corey Lemonier- Before the unexpected release of Aldon Smith, I wasn’t so sure Lemonier would even make this roster. Without Brooks for the last half of the preseason, Lemonier had an opportunity to take a ton of live game reps and played average. He certainly has improved on last year, but with Bellore being a core special teams guy, and Tony Jerod-Eddie able to play outside linebacker in a pinch, he is a victim of the numbers game this week.

Mike Davis- Sitting Davis may have been the toughest decision of all. Throughout the preseason, he showed impressive vision for a rookie and looks like a complete back that could continually push Hyde in a running back-by-committee style backfield. The list of inactive players for the first week was designed to keep Hayne available as a return man, and with only three active running backs last year to start the season, Davis is left to wait. The lack of another large running back on the active roster is somewhat concerning, but the strength of Hyde, and Kap’s ability to run the ball will leave some wiggle room with this position.

Ian Silberman- Silberman wasn’t given as much of an opportunity at a starting role as Wright, but he was given a chance, he simply didn’t do enough to keep the role (as evidenced by Jordan Devey latching on to the team late, and securing the starting right guard spot). As a rookie, he should be proud of being on this roster to start the season at all, and should look to continually improve throughout the year. I’m still not sold on the right side of the offensive line, and I wouldn’t be surprised if things need to be shaken up in a few weeks. Silberman should stay prepared to play whether he is active for the first few weeks or not.

Trent Brown- Remember when I said I wasn’t sure about the right side of the offensive line? Trent Brown may be called upon even sooner than Silberman, and if he wants to keep that role, at least throughout 2015, he will have to do more than he did this preseason. As a veteran, Erik Pears will always get a little benefit of the doubt at right tackle because of experience, and consistency, albeit not much of a good consistency. Trent Brown could see himself inactive each week all year, or he could be thrown into the starting lineup in a matter of weeks. The large man is intriguing and should continue to develop with the team. He will have even better competition should Anthony Davis return next season.

As mentioned, this list of inactives is intended to keep Jarryd Hayne available as a return man for the season opener, but whether the coaching staff makes that move or not is questionable at best. For a return in the PR department, it may be wise to find a way for Hayne to touch the ball early in the season, and if things fail there are capable and explosive players throughout the roster to step in. The offseason has been long and difficult for fans, and a strong showing on Monday Night Football is the first step in helping with a little closure from the nightmare that was last season. Regardless of who suits up, the 49ers better be ready to compete because the Minnesota Vikings are coming off a preseason in which the offense continually impressed, and the defense looks solid with head coach Mike Zimmer settling in for another season. Active or Inactive, this group of 49ers has a tough task ahead of them.

Jerod Brown

@jerodbrown62

Writer for 49ersHub