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49ers-Texans preview, what you need to be watching

This is my Saturday column.

Hits.

That’s the main difference between preseason and training camp. In training camp players don’t hit each other — they play a slightly rougher version of two-hand touch. Coaches can’t learn much about their running game or their defense’s ability to tackle during this portion of the offseason.

That’s what the preseason games are for. They allow coaches to evaluate what they can’t gauge during practice.

Here are five things the Niners’ coaching staff should learn tonight against the Houston Texans.

1. Can the offense run the ball to the right?