49ers vs. Broncos: 4 Niners who must perform well in preseason game (or risk being cut)

A few of the 49ers players suiting up on Saturday against the Broncos need an impressive preseason performance.
San Francisco 49ers defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw (99) and Kerry Hyder (92)
San Francisco 49ers defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw (99) and Kerry Hyder (92) / Christian Petersen/GettyImages
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Marshall University, Khalan Laborn
Marshall University running back Khalan Laborn (8) / G Fiume/GettyImages

No. 3: 49ers running back Khalan Laborn

Undrafted free agents always face a tough road to a 53-man roster, and running back Khalan Laborn is no different after going undrafted last April.

Now, this could be a deceiving note about being waived following the preseason. Last Sunday, Laborn got one carry and failed to gain any yardage out of it, and he was also targeted once in the passing game but didn't come up with a catch.

Only two attempted touches? Only one of them where he got his hands on the ball?

It's feasible the Niners want to hide Laborn and not give him too many preseason carries to attract 31 other teams. However, with the running back room awfully crowded behind All-Pro Christian McCaffrey, Laborn might need to make a stronger case for himself in a real game time situation.

He probably won't get a lot of opportunities versus Denver, but he'll want to make the most of them nonetheless.