Injuries, Usage, Formations, Personnel:

• Corey Linsley returned after missing yesterday's practice. Otherwise same group out for the last practice of the preseason: Allen Lazard, EQ St. Brown, Kevin King, Ibraheim Campbell, Curtis Bolton, Oren Burks, Malcolm Johnson, Ento, Greg Roberts, Madison, Graham, and Gilbert.  Demovsky
• Luke Getsy will call plays against KC per Matt LaFleur.  LaFleur said Nathaniel Hackett has had a lot of chances to do it in the league, wanted to give Getsy a chance.  Hodkiewicz
• [Noting the tweet above] BUT WHO WILL CALL TIMEOUTS NOW?!?!?!  Wilde

Quarterbacks and WRs:

• GM Brian Gutekunst on the competition between Tim Boyle and DeShone Kizer for the backup quarterback job: "I think it's really close."  Demovsky
• Though normally it would be a risk to switch to a No. 2 QB from outside the organization just before Week 1, the 49ers run an offense highly similar in concept and language to the one the Packers now use. Accordingly, Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard make sense as targets.  Because several teams could put in claims for either Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard if waived, perhaps the Packers can cut the line at the checkout counter by offering a reserve player they didn't plan to retain but could likewise be difficult for the 49ers to claim off waivers.  Hirschhorn
• Preseason or no preseason, Aaron Rodgers stepped off the field Monday feeling good about the tempo and efficiency of the Packers' offense.  Hodkiewicz

Tight Ends:

• Gutekunst on Sternberger: "Absolutely" can contribute this year after being set back with concussion. Expects he'll have to rely on him at some point this season.  Schneidman
• Aaron Rodgers struck a very positive chord about his tight end group yesterday, especially veterans Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis. He's also praised Bobby Tonyan repeatedly.  Wilde
• Aaron Rodgers wanted to brag about Marcedes "Big Dog" Lewis. Rodgers: "He's really transformed his body. He looks leaner, stronger. He put a helluva lot of work in. He's going to be an important part of our locker room & our squad."  Zhao

Safety:

• So far this preseason, Raven Greene has played 35 total snaps in the box (25 as a true LB, 10 as a box safety in a similar capacity). He has played 30 defensive snaps as either a slot corner or deep safety. That split might be slanted towards LB until Burks and/or Bolton return.  Hirschhorn

Linebackers:

• Oren Burks said it was a partial tear of his pectoral, which is why he’ll be able to play without surgery.  Huber
• He initially feared it would be a season-ending injury, but he said of his return: "I don't think months; I think it'll be a couple of weeks." He was actually out in the field today going through pre-practice stretches.  Demovsky
• Brian Gutekunst on waiving Josh Jones: "It might not have been the best fit. He's a great player, we wish him the best. We really tried to make it work here, but it came to the point where it's time."  Zhao

Kicker/STs:

• GM Brian Gutekunst says team has discussed possibility of whichever kicker they cut kicking for the Bears against them Week 1. Says Mason Crosby and Sam Ficken have both proven they are NFL-caliber kickers.  Schneidman

Offensive/Defensive Line:

• Both Gutekunst and LaFleur have mentioned the competition at left guard remaining open. Big night for Taylor and Jenkins coming up Thursday.  Nagler

Overall/Miscellaneous:

• One difficulty in opening the regular season on Thursday night: A player claimed on waivers Sunday after Saturday's final cuts would have almost no chance to play in Week 1. "It depends on who it is," Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said.  Demovsky
• GM Brian Gutekunst wouldn't talk about specific players with injuries, but he did say that he wants to give "core players" an opportunity to come back later in the season off of IR.  Silverstein