Honestly, looking at the 49ers roster depth chart right now is like staring at a medical drama script. It’s January 2026. The Divisional Round is here. And if you thought the San Francisco 49ers would have a clean bill of health heading into their matchup against the Seahawks, you haven’t been paying attention to the absolute carnage of this season.
Kyle Shanahan is basically playing chess with half his pieces missing.
The biggest gut punch? George Kittle. The "People's Tight End" is officially on IR with a torn right Achilles. That’s not just a loss of a receiver; it’s losing the emotional heartbeat of the offense and one of the best blockers in the league. Without Kittle, the depth chart looks... different. It’s gritty. It’s experimental. It’s very "next man up," a phrase coaches love and fans usually hate because it means the stars are in the tub.
The Offense: Who is actually left for Brock Purdy?
Brock Purdy is still the guy. That’s the good news. He’s healthy, he’s locked in until 2030, and he’s coming off another season where he proved the "system quarterback" label is mostly just noise from people who don't watch the film. But who is he throwing to?
With Brandon Aiyuk having left the squad in December and Kittle on the shelf, the wide receiver room is a wild mix of veterans and fresh faces. Jauan Jennings has ascended to that WR1/WR2 hybrid role he was born for. He’s the "Third and Jauan" guy, but now he has to be the "First, Second, and Third Down" guy.
The Playmakers
- Ricky Pearsall: The rookie (well, second-year now in 2026) has been dealing with a knee issue but is expected to start. He's got the route-running chops to fill some of the void left by Aiyuk.
- Christian McCaffrey: The engine. CMC is still the most dangerous weapon on the field. He’s projected for over 50 receiving yards alone in the Divisional Round.
- Brian Robinson Jr.: Remember when the 49ers traded a 6th rounder for him? Best move they made all year. He’s the thunder to CMC's lightning.
- Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne: These are the guys providing the veteran floor. Bourne returning to SF feels like a full-circle moment, doesn't it?
Then there's the tight end situation. It's Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell. Let's be real—neither of them is Kittle. Tonges is a California kid who has shown flashes, but asking him to replicate Kittle’s impact is a tall order. Shanahan will likely use more 21-personnel (two backs, one tight end) to hide the drop-off, especially with Kyle Juszczyk still being the best fullback in existence.
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The offensive line is the usual "Trent Williams and everyone else" show. Trent is battling a hamstring injury—because of course he is—but he’s the anchor. Dominick Puni has been a revelation at guard, though he’s also nursing an ankle. If that left side holds, Purdy has a chance. If not, Mac Jones is the backup. Yeah, that Mac Jones.
49ers roster depth chart: The Defensive Reconstruction
If the offense is a puzzle, the defense is a full-on renovation project.
The injury report looks like a CVS receipt. Nick Bosa? On IR. Fred Warner? On IR (though he's a "Designated for Return" candidate, which is the only thing keeping Niners fans sane). When you lose the best edge rusher and the best linebacker in football, your 49ers roster depth chart undergoes a fundamental identity crisis.
The New Front Seven
Since Bosa is out, Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos are the primary bookends. Huff was the big Philly acquisition, and he’s had to step up in a way nobody expected this early. Inside, it’s Jordan Elliott and Kalia Davis. It's a "committee" approach, which is a nice way of saying they’re rotating bodies to keep everyone from collapsing.
The linebacker corps is where things get truly "kinda" weird.
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- Eric Kendricks: The veteran was signed to the practice squad, promoted, then became a starter. He’s the "green dot" guy now with Warner out.
- Dee Winters: He’s been dealing with an ankle injury, but he’s the speed element they desperately need.
- Luke Gifford: Mainly a special teams ace, but he’s currently listed as a starter on the SAM side.
The Secondary: The Strongest Link?
Ironically, the secondary might be the healthiest unit. Deommodore Lenoir has turned into a legitimate lockdown corner—his extension through 2029 was a massive win for John Lynch. Opposite him is the rookie Renardo Green, who has played way above his draft slot.
At safety, it’s the youth movement. Malik Mustapha and Ji’Ayir Brown. Brown has a hamstring tweak, but if he plays, that duo is as explosive as any in the NFC West. They hit hard. They play downhill. They’re the reason the 49ers didn't fall off a cliff when the pass rush slowed down.
What most people get wrong about this depth chart
The common narrative is that the 49ers are "too injured to win."
That’s a lazy take.
What people miss is the mid-season acquisitions. Brian Robinson Jr. coming over from Washington wasn't just depth; it changed how they run the ball. Skyy Moore coming over from the Chiefs gave them a gadget player and return specialist they lacked.
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Kyle Shanahan’s system is designed to be "player-proof" to an extent. It relies on spacing and timing. While you can't replace Nick Bosa’s gravity or Kittle’s soul, you can replace their production with a mix of Jauan Jennings' grit and a heavy dose of CMC.
The Special Teams Factor
Don't overlook the specialists. Thomas Morstead is still punting at 100 years old (okay, 39, but still). Eddy Piñeiro has been solid at kicker. In a playoff game against Seattle, which usually comes down to one possession, having a kicker who doesn't blink is massive.
The Actionable Reality
If you're looking at the 49ers roster depth chart for betting, fantasy, or just pure fandom, here is the brass tax:
- Watch the Fred Warner update: If he stays on IR through the Divisional Round, the middle of the field is a target for Seattle.
- The TE target share: Don't expect Tonges to get 8 targets. Expect those targets to go to CMC out of the backfield or Jauan Jennings in the slot.
- The "Mac Jones" insurance: If Purdy takes a hit, the offense changes entirely. Mac is a rhythm passer; he won't make the off-schedule plays Brock makes.
The 49ers are essentially a "zombie" team right now. They're missing their head and their heart, but they're still moving forward because the structure of the organization is so damn strong. Whether they can survive a deep playoff run with this specific depth chart is the million-dollar question.
Key Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
Check the final active roster 90 minutes before kickoff. With players like Jacob Cowing and Fred Warner in the "Designated for Return" or "Questionable" categories, the depth chart you see on Wednesday rarely matches the one that takes the field on Saturday. Focus specifically on the defensive line rotation—if Sam Okuayinonu and Keion White can't generate pressure, the secondary will eventually break.