49ers final preseason game will reveal much even without playing starters

SANTA CLARA — The 49ers were missing more than 20 players with various ailments for their final practice of training camp.They’re just trying to make it to Week 1.For that reason, coach Kyle Shanahan said their preseason finale Thursday night against the Raiders in Las Vegas will more closely resemble their first exhibition than a true dress rehearsal.Although they won’t suit up many of their starters, there’s still plenty to be gleaned.

In fact, it may even be for the best for Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.They must decide which 53 players they’re taking to Australia by Sunday afternoon and should get a long look at those fighting over the last handful of those spots.There’s still one prominent position battle yet to be decided and many more calls to be made further down the depth chart.Here’s what’s on the line at Allegiant Stadium:It will be interesting to see who does and doesn’t suit up, which could tell us which players have locked up starting jobs and have earned the right to be bubblewrapped until the season opener.De’Zhaun Stribling is one case.

The rookie receiver has done about all he could through training camp and the first two preseason games.He’s been noncontact in practice with a shoulder issue, so why risk anything — if Shanahan has seen enough to earn his trust.Stribling, linebacker Jaden Dugger, edge Romello Height, safety Marques Sigle and defensive tackle Alfred Collins were all among the possible starters who played two weeks ago against the Titans.Whether they’re in uniform again could reveal if their standing has shifted.Attrition has whittled the 49ers’ lone remaining position battle at left guard from five to two: fourth-round rookie Carver Willis and second-year lineman Connor Colby.“It’s close to being decided, and it needs to be close,” Shanahan said Tuesday.Willis started last week against the Chargers and has taken the lion’s share of the first-team reps in practice.

But he was thoro...