The 49ers released their first depth chart today in advance of Friday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. As a testament to their depth and experience this year, no rookies are listed in the starting lineups. What's more, only two - strong safety Trenton Robinson and kicker Giorgio Tavecchio - are listed as second stringers. The rest are third stringers, including first-round pick A.J. Jenkins, who is listed behind Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams at one of the wide receiver spots.
There are no surprises on the depth chart. As was the case last year, Jim Harbaugh is keeping his options open as far as the starting wide receiver spots. While Crabtree - who has not had a full practice yet and who may not play Friday - is listed as one starter, the other starter is listed as Randy Moss or Mario Manningham or Ted Ginn, Jr. Crabtree was an entrenched starter last year, which is likely why he is not in an "or" situation like the others.
At quarterback, the depth chart goes: Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick, Josh Johnson, Scott Tolzien. At running back, it's Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Brandon Jacobs, LaMichael James and Rock Cartwright.
James is listed as both the No. 3 punt returner (behind Ginn and Williams) and the No. 3 kick returner (behind Ginn and Hunter). It's important to note that this is the first depth chart of the preseason and that the hierarchy is fluid.
OFFENSE
WR: 15 Michael Crabtree 10 Kyle Williams 17 A.J. Jenkins 13 Joe Hastings
89 Nathan Palmer 9 Brian Tyms
LT: 74 Joe Staley 75 Alex Boone 71 Derek Hall 69 Kenny Wiggins
LG: 77 Mike Iupati 67 Daniel Kilgore 66 Joe Looney 60 Garrett Chisholm
C: 59 Jonathan Goodwin 67 Daniel Kilgore 61 Chase Beeler 62 Jason Slowey
RG: 75 Alex Boone 68 Leonard Davis 78 Mike Person 65 Al Netter
RT: 76 Anthony Davis 78 Mike Person 71 Derek Hall 69 Kenny Wiggins
TE: 85 Vernon Davis 46 Delanie Walker 82 Nate Byham 88 Konrad Reuland
48 Garrett Celek 47 Kyle Nelson
WR: 84 Randy Moss -or- 14 Mario Manningham -or- 19 Ted Ginn Jr. 18 Brett Swain
81 Chris Owusu 35 Ben Hannula
FB: 49 Bruce Miller 24 Anthony Dixon 44 Cameron Bell
RB: 21 Frank Gore 32 Kendall Hunter 45 Brandon Jacobs 23 LaMichael James
28 Rock Cartwright
QB: 11 Alex Smith 7 Colin Kaepernick 1 Josh Johnson 3 Scott Tolzien
DEFENSE
LDT: 91 Ray McDonald 96 Demarcus Dobbs 63 Tony Jerod-Eddie 69 Patrick Butrym
NT: 90 Isaac Sopoaga 95 Ricky Jean Francois 93 Ian Williams
RDT: 94 Justin Smith 92 Will Tukuafu 71 Matthew Masifilo
OLB: 55 Ahmad Brooks 98 Parys Haralson 50 Cam Johnson 44 Eric Bakhtiari
ILB: 53 NaVorro Bowman 54 Larry Grant 51 Joe Holland
ILB: 52 Patrick Willis 56 Tavares Gooden 57 Michael Wilhoite
OLB: 99 Aldon Smith 98 Parys Haralson 48 Kourtnei Brown
LCB: 22 Carlos Rogers 26 Tramaine Brock 20 Perrish Cox 41 Curtis Holcomb
RCB: 25 Tarell Brown 29 Chris Culliver 33 Anthony Mosley 40 Deante' Purvis
FS: 38 Dashon Goldson 27 C.J. Spillman 23 Cory Nelms 43 Colin Jones
35 Mark LeGree
SS: 31 Donte Whitner 30 Trenton Robinson 32 Darcel McBath 36 Michael Thomas
SPECIAL TEAMS
PR: 19 Ted Ginn Jr. 10 Kyle Williams 23 LaMichael James
KR: 19 Ted Ginn Jr. 32 Kendall Hunter 23 LaMichael James
P: 4 Andy Lee
K: 2 David Akers 5 Giorgio Tavecchio, Jim Harbaugh
H: 4 Andy Lee
L: S 86 Brian Jennings 47 Kyle Nelson
-- Matt Barrows
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