Jeremy Kerley is entering just his second week with the 49ers, but he is already the team’s starting slot receiver and punt returner.
Actually, Kerley is the 49ers' only slot receiver and punt returner.
The 49ers released their first unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, as the club begins preparations to open the regular season on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
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Kerley was acquired last week in a trade with the Detroit Lions for offensive lineman Brandon Thomas and takes over the roles that Bruce Ellington would have filled this season. However, Ellington is on season-ending injured reserve after sustaining a torn hamstring in the 49ers' third exhibition games.
In Chip Kelly's offense, the 49ers list three starting receivers. Torrey Smith and Quinton Patton are the other starters in those spots.
The 49ers list Ray-Ray Armstrong and Gerald Hodges as the co-starters at the inside linebacker alongside NaVorro Bowman. Michael Wilhoite, who had been in competition for the starting spot, was listed behind Armstrong and Hodges.
The 49ers’ only backup offensive tackle is rookie John Theus. It remains to be seen if Theus will be one of the team’s 46 active players. Anthony Davis, who is listed as the starter at right guard, could move to either tackle position if right tackle Trent Brown or left tackle Joe Staley need a replacement.
San Francisco 49ers
Here is the 49ers’ depth chart:
OFFENSE
Slot WR: 17 Jeremy Kerley
LT: 74 Joe Staley
LG: 68 Zane Beadles, 65 Joshua Garnett
C: 67 Daniel Kilgore, 66 Marcus Martin
RG: 76 Anthony Davis, 61 Andrew Tiller
RT: 77 Trent Brown, 71 John Theus
TE: 89 Vance McDonald, 88 Garrett Celek, 84 Blake Bell
WR: 82 Torrey Smith, 13 Aaron Burbridge
WR: 11 Quinton Patton, 81 Rod Streater
RB: 28 Carlos Hyde, 24 Shaun Draughn, 22 Mike Davis, 32 DuJuan Harris
QB: 2 Blaine Gabbert, 7 Colin Kaepernick, 15 Christian Ponder
DEFENSE
LDT: 91 Arik Armstead, 99 DeForest Buckner, 98 Ronald Blair
NT: 64 Mike Purcell, 90 Glenn Dorsey
RDT: 92 Quinton Dial, 63 Tony Jerod-Eddie, 96 Taylor Hart
OLB: 55 Ahmad Brooks, 95 Tank Carradine
ILB: 53 NaVorro Bowman, 50 Nick Bellore
ILB: 54 Ray-Ray Armstrong/51 Gerald Hodges, 57 Michael Wilhoite
OLB: 58 Eli Harold
LCB: 26 Tramaine Brock, 36 Dontae Johnson/33 Rashard Robinson
RCB: 25 Jimmie Ward, 43 Chris Davis/27 Keith Reaser
FS: 35 Eric Reid, 20 Marcus Cromartie
SS: 41 Antoine Bethea, 29 Jaquiski Tartt
SPECIAL TEAMS
P: 5 Bradley Pinion
K: 4 Phil Dawson, 5 Bradley Pinion
H: 5 Bradley Pinion
PR: 17 Jeremy Kerley
KOR: 43 Chris Davis, 17 Jeremy Kerley, 24 Shaun Draughn
LS: 86 Kyle Nelson, 89 Vance McDonald