SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers open the 2021 NFL regular season at the Detroit Lions on Sept. 12 at Ford Field.
Entering the season, the roster question that still looms largest here is at quarterback, where the clock is ticking on projected starter Jimmy Garoppolo with rookie Trey Lance closing in fast.
Elsewhere, the Niners appear to have one of the best rosters in the league but questions remain about depth in the secondary, at wide receiver and on the offensive line.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the initial 53:
QUARTERBACK (2): Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance
The only question here is whether the Niners opt to keep Nate Sudfeld as their third quarterback on the roster or hope they can get him through to the practice squad. If indeed the plan is to play Lance situationally, it would probably serve the Niners well to keep Sudfeld on the roster but the guess here is they will stash him on the practice squad early so his salary doesn't guarantee as a vested veteran in Week 1.