49ers injuries mean they need depth and preseason opener proved they have it

SANTA CLARA — It’s Week 1 of the preseason, which means it’s primetime for overreactions.Let’s see how this one holds up by the end of Week 18.The best rookie receiver inside Levi’s Stadium Thursday night wasn’t the guy whose name was called fourth by commissioner Roger Goodell in April.It was the guy who went off the board 29 picks later, after five other receivers.“I know who was taken ahead of me,” said De’Zhaun Stribling, the 33rd overall pick and the clear standout of the 49ers’ 19-13 loss to the Titans in the preseason opener.In both players’ NFL debuts, Stribling easily outshined the fourth overall pick, Carnell Tate, who was bottled up for zero catches on three targets in the three drives he played.Stribling also played three drives and hauled in seven catches for a game-high 63 yards.“My journey is my journey,” he said.

“I’m not gonna look at someone else’s journey, because once I do that, I’m not going to be grateful and happy about where I’m at.It’s my journey, so just making the most of my opportunities and what’s good for the team.”What’s more: Stribling did his work against the Titans’ starting secondary.

Tate was denied a touchdown pass by the long arms of fourth-round rookie Ephesians Prysock, who only took over the assignment after fellow second-stringer Jack Jones left with a hand injury.The 49ers sat most of their starters, and Stribling was just one of many rookies and reserves who largely held their own against Tennessee’s first-teamers on both sides of the ball.That was the best news to come out of a game that featured almost none of the players who will determine their fate this season.San Francisco’s season will hinge on the health and performance of star veterans like Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Nick Bosa.But if there’s anything the 49ers have learned in recent years, it’s that health can’t be taken for granted.

Depth matters.And judging by Thursday’s preseason opener, ...