49ers roster bubble watch in the wake of preseason win vs. Packers

A number of 49ers players improved their 53-man roster chances after the preseason win over the Packers, but they may still be on the bubble.

For what it’s worth, the San Francisco 49ers are 1-0 in the 2022 preseason. This, after knocking off the visiting Green Bay Packers 28-21 on Friday night at Levi’s Stadium.

More important than the score, of course, is the additional evidence head coach Kyle Shanahan will use to determine whom of the 90-man offseason roster will make the 53-man roster come Week 1 of the regular season.

And with the first wave of roster cut-downs scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Aug. 16, where teams drop from 90 players down to 85, Shanahan is already facing some tough choices.

Niner Noise already explored the roster bubble entering training camp towards the end of July, but a number of factors have changed since then, including the Niners’ first preseason game of the year.

With that and more in the rearview mirror, let’s rethink the bubble watch but still use our typical categories:

• Lock (player will be there, barring injuries)
• Strong bubble (not a guarantee, but looking pretty good)
• Weak bubble (a lot better go the player’s way… and more)
• Long shot (so, you’re saying there’s a chance, right?)

Fortunately for the first three on the list, there’s no drama with regards to the bubble.

49ers roster bubble after beating Packers: Special teams

Lock: Robbie Gould, Mitch Wishnowsky, Taybor Pepper

Strong bubble: None

Weak bubble: None

Long shot: None

About the only notable aspect of San Francisco’s special teams battery is kicker Robbie Gould handling kickoff duties instead of punter Mitch Wishnowsky, which flips the script on kickoffs from the last three years.

The 49ers didn’t add any specialists during the offseason, but all three are entering contract years.

That’s effectively the only part worth monitoring this upcoming season.