Kyle Shanahan Declines to Comment on Cuts; Confirms Lance & Starters Will Play First Half in Preseason Finale
Aug 23, 2022, 1:37 PM | Updated: 2:40 pm
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 20: Head Coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talks to the team in the locker room after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 20, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 49ers defeated the Vikings 17-7. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)
San Francisco 49ers‘ head coach Kyle Shanahan had a stern tone when addressing the media Tuesday, possibly because it was one of the harder days in the NFL preseason, cut day.
The 49ers joined the rest of the NFL, making the second round of cuts to their roster. General manager John Lynch opened practice by corralling the media to reveal the first roster moves, placing cornerback Jason Verrett on the PUP list and DT Kalia Davis on the reserve/NFI list. Both players will miss the first four regular season games of 2022.
When asked about the moves, Shanahan was hush-hush on the matter until the official report had been released. The head coach instead commented on how tough it is to say goodbye to players, especially considering how deep San Francisco is.
“Yeah, it’s always hard but it’s something you debate every year,” Shanahan said. “So something to debate this year. It’s not always just the quarterbacks. It’s kind of like you asked us how it plays off with other positions.”
The 49ers are also letting go of OT Sam Schlueter, LB Jeremiah Gemmel and TE Tanner Hudson. That rounds out the roster to an even 80 men. For now…
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) August 23, 2022
Looking ahead to Thursday, Shanahan did confirm Trey Lance and the rest of the starters would see action in the first half of the preseason finale against the Houston Texans.
“I haven’t decided exactly. I mean, I want them to get out there definitely, the [starters], I plan on playing those guys, but haven’t exactly decided how much. I know they won’t go past the first half. [It] would be the first half at the most,” Shanahan said.
Trey Lance getting warm to open Tuesday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/DZotL59lcR
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) August 23, 2022
Jimmy Garoppolo made it through another round of cuts as the team continues to look for a trade partner. However, when asked about keeping Garoppolo, Shanahan eluded to the idea he could stay on the roster.
“I think any scenario is possible,” Shanahan said.
Garoppolo has an almost $27 million cap hit if the 49ers do decide to keep him in case a trade materializes during the season. The final year on his deal becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the roster Sept. 10.
Jimmy G is throwing off to the side at practice, per usual. The #49ers have yet to find a trade for the veteran QB.
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) August 23, 2022
Shifting to fringe players like cornerback Ambry Thomas, Shannon is eager to see what develops over the course of the next week and a half and see who really competes for a roster spot.
“I just wanna see them battle to make the team. Same with [Demmodore Lenoir], same all those guys. I mean, after our starting two guys, we got some guys who really compete and that could go anyway,” Shanahan said.
Thomas has been sidelined with a knee injury since last Thursday’s joint practice with the Minnesota Vikings. Shanahan hopes to get him some game time in Houston.
