SANTA CLARA–Victor Bolden probably earned himself a roster spot with a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown in the 49ers’ preseason finale on August 31.
But Bolden won’t open the season as San Francisco’s starting returner.
Instead, the undrafted rookie out of Oregon State will take in the 49ers’ matchup against the Panthers from the sidelines, as he was one of the seven players San Francisco designated as inactive for Sunday’s game.
Bolden’s abilities as both a punt and kick returner gave San Francisco plenty of incentive to keep him on the team’s 53-man roster this season, but they weren’t enough for the 49ers to activate Bolden against Carolina. Instead, versatile special teams weapon Raheem Mostert will handle kick return duties while rookie wide receiver Trent Taylor will serve as San Francisco’s starting punt returner.
Bolden isn’t the only undrafted rookie wide receiver who earned a spot on San Francisco’s 53-man roster, as Eastern Washington product Kendrick Bourne also carved out a role through his play in the preseason. Unlike Bolden, Bourne is active on Sunday and expected to play on various special teams units.
Though Bolden’s elusiveness and speed in the open field make him an electrifying return candidate, he’s not as polished of a wide receiver and probably doesn’t offer San Francisco as much skill as a coverage player on kickoffs and punts. Thus, Bourne will suit up, and Bolden will not.
Mostert has 21 career kick returns as he enters his third NFL season, with his most extensive experience coming in 2015 when he returned 12 kicks on behalf of the Cleveland Browns.
Taylor returned punts in all four seasons of his college career at Louisiana Tech, averaging 10.5 yards per return in 17 opportunities during his final season with the Bulldogs.