49ers depth chart: 3 crucial decisions Kyle Shanahan must make for Week 7

The 49ers come off their bye and play host to the Colts in Week 7, and head coach Kyle Shanahan has to make some serious decisions for the game.

Two weeks should be ample enough time for San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to do some serious soul-searching.

In what’s been a weird start to the season, the 2-3 Niners are in desperate need to proverbially “right the ship” after dropping three straight games before entering their Week 6 bye. Yes, the added week of rest and preparation should come in handy ahead of their prime-time Sunday Night Football contest against the 2-4 Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 24.

But Shanahan’s decision-making process also needs to be on point, too. Especially if San Francisco wants to potentially gain some ground within the NFC West and dwindling prospects for a playoff berth this season.

There have been plenty of instances this year where Shanahan’s choices warrant criticism. Play-calling has been suspect at times, and a number of his roster decisions have also been questionable at best.

Still, there’s plenty of time to right that ship and to get things right.

Part of these moves is directly related to the roster, and the head coach has to make some choices that may not only determine how the 49ers fare under the bright lights again this weekend but also what the long-term ramifications for the franchise may be in the upcoming weeks. In many senses, the Niners aren’t just playing for this weekend but also have to think about the overall direction they’re heading.

Here are three such depth-chart decisions Shanahan needs to correctly make this weekend.