The San Francisco 49ers just wrapped up their third preseason game of 2017, eventually falling 32-31 in a relatively thrilling exhibition bout with the Minnesota Vikings.
Week 3 of the preseason tends to be the most realistic football in advance of the regular season, and it’s a great opportunity to gauge how head coach Kyle Shanahan will gauge the 53-man roster when it’s formed in September.
The Niners have some tough decisions ahead formulating this group. In some cases — linebacker Ahmad Brooks, center Jeremy Zuttah and wide receiver Bruce Ellington — San Francisco parted ways with veterans to open up the door for further competition down the line.