49ers: 5 players with the most to gain in preseason Week 1 vs. Cowboys

5 49ers with the most to gain in preseason Week 1 vs. Cowboys

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Tarvarus McFadden #33 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth quarter of their NFL preseason football game at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers one the game 24-21. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 12: Adrian Colbert #38 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Safety Adrian Colbert

Third-year defensive back Adrian Colbert stands either a lot to gain or a lot to lose this training camp and preseason.

This, because the Niners appear destined to give veteran defensive back Jimmie Ward the starting free safety nod to open up the regular season. And with Tarvarius Moore being switched from cornerback to safety, too, Colbert now finds himself pushed to the periphery of the depth chart.

But Ward has yet to be cleared to practice after suffering a broken collarbone during OTAs, and it’s not likely he’ll suit up versus Dallas. Moore, meanwhile, still has a way to go before convincing San Francisco’s coaching staff he’s worthy of a starting gig.

That leaves Colbert with a prime opportunity he needs to grab.

Colbert likely starts on Saturday’s game, seeing the “first-team” reps during this contest and going up against the better portions of the Cowboys’ starting element. So far in training camp, Colbert has had some shaky moments.

A strong outing on Saturday, however, would put him right back in the conversation for a starting job in 2019.