Niner Noise
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Predicting 49ers 2016 Depth Chart Amid Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Blaine Gabbert (2) take the field for warmups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Purcell
August 23, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers nose tackle Mike Purcell (64) scores a touchdown after intercepting the football against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Nose Tackle

V1.0 Assessment:

Starter: Ian Williams

Backup: Mike Purcell

V2.0 Assessment:

Starter: Mike Purcell

Backup: Quinton Dial

Nose tackle Ian Williams’ ankle injury was initially going to keep him either limited or out of San Francisco’s Week 1 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. Now, Williams has landed on injured reserve and is out for all of 2016.

Not good news, especially considering Williams was the 49ers’ highest-graded defender (plus-24.4), according to Pro Football Focus.

Defensive tackle Quinton Dial could still land the starting gig in Williams’ stead but, as Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reported at training camp, nose tackle Mike Purcell “appears far ahead in the competition at nose tackle.”

Purcell is better against the run than he is versus the passing game, so Dial will still get plenty of snaps. And don’t count out fellow defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (ACL), who is still rehabbing from his 2015 knee injury.

Next: Left Defensive End