SANTA CLARA — Bon voyage, exhibition season. Don’t let the lowering-helmet rule hit you on the way out. Here are 49ers fans’ top questions heading into Thursday’s exhibition finale at home against the Los Angeles Chargers:
Not many veterans are left from the ShanaLynch purge to compete with younger bucks. Now, I wouldn’t bet on any of these shocking-not-shocking moves, but they would be:
Wide receiver: Pierre Garçon (Year 11) ditched in favor of Dante Pettis (Year 1) and Kendrick Bourne (Year 2). Also, Aaron Burbridge (Year 3) for Richie James (Year 1).
Linebacker: Malcolm Smith (Year 8) for Fred Warner (Year 1), and Korey Toomer (Year 6) for Elijah Lee (Year 2).