49ers vs. Vikings preseason: Niners who desperately need a bounce-back game

49ers bounce-back player No. 3: Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud

Again, another player on the list who isn’t in any danger of missing out on the 53-man roster but could see his role dramatically altered by what happens in the preseason.

Veteran Ray-Ray McCloud, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver San Francisco brought in via free agency to help spark special teams, could see himself as a valuable commodity on offense, too.

However, if there was one checkmark against McCloud entering 2022, it was his fumbling issues, compounded by a fumble against Green Bay that otherwise overshadowed a solid effort that included a great-separation 39-yard touchdown during the game.

McCloud had a career-high four fumbles with the Steelers last year, and it’s been an issue over his four-year career regardless, casting a little bit of doubt if Kyle Shanahan will rely on him as a receiver who can stretch the field.

Or if rookie wideout Danny Gray, who hauled in quarterback Trey Lance‘s 76-yard touchdown pass last Friday, winds up being the primary deep threat.

Either way, McCloud will need to demonstrate he’s not a liability with the ball in his hands.