5 dark-horse candidates to make 49ers 53-man roster in 2022
By Peter Panacy
49ers dark-horse roster candidate No. 2: WR Malik Turner
Early in the Vikings game, wide receiver Tay Martin was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the 49ers were penalized 15 yards for the infraction.
Not a good look, but Martin certainly made up for it as the game moved along.
Like the Niners’ situation at linebacker, it’ll be tough for players on the bubble, such as Martin, to carve out a spot on the 53-man roster. San Francisco is already going to retain Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud and the impressive rookie, Danny Gray, to seize five total roster spots.
However, should Kyle Shanahan keep six wideouts, Turner appears to be the lock to earn that nod.
For starters, Turner has some potency on special teams, and his efforts on forcing a fumble on a Minnesota punt return that the 49ers recovered is one such example. Additionally, a 21-yard reception on a 3rd-and-12 play late in the first half ultimately led to the Niners making a successful field goal just before halftime.
Great play there, too.
Yeah, Malik Turner is making this team. It was never really a question, but offensive dependability is icing on the cake
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) August 21, 2022
The real question is back to whether or not it’ll be five or six wide receivers on the 53-man roster.
If it’s six, that sixth spot will go to Turner.