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The 49ers' roster projections could change pending new information on injuries suffered during the exhibition finale. Linebacker Parys Haralson suffered a shoulder injury that could threaten his availability.

Tully Banta-Cain was going to earn a roster spot anyway; a disappointment last season, he has played with fire this summer while fighting for a job. Haralson's injury could help Roderick Green land on the initial 53-man roster.

Here's a quick look at which 49ers players I might keep on the cutdown to 53:

Quarterbacks

• Projected keepers (3) -- J.T. O'Sullivan, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill
  
• Projected to miss cut (0) -- None
• Key issue --Is O'Sullivan more than a stopgap starter to open the season? Is Smith finished in San Francisco?
  

Running backs

• Projected keepers (4) -- Frank Gore, Zak Keasey, DeShaun Foster, Michael Robinson
  
• Projected to miss cut (2) -- Moran Norris, Thomas Clayton
  
• Key issue -- Offensive coordinator Mike Martz likes to throw the ball. Gore averaged better than 4 yards a carry in 2007 despite playing for one of the worst offenses in league history. Will Gore remain the focal point?

Receivers

• Projected keepers (6) -- Arnaz Battle, Isaac Bruce, Jason Hill, Bryant Johnson, Josh Morgan, Ashley Lelie
  
• Projected to miss cut (4) -- Dominique Zeigler, Cam Colvin, Robert Ortiz, Jerard Rabb
  
• Key issue -- Keeping six instead of five makes sense given injuries and what Martz's system demands from receivers.

Tight ends

• Projected keepers (3) -- Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Bill Bajema
  
• Projected to miss cut (1) -- J.J. Finley
  
• Key issue -- Walker's 101-yard return Friday night demonstrated what the 49ers already knew: Walker is more than your typical backup tight end. Davis has the first-round pedigree, but Walker is highly valued.

Offensive line

• Projected keepers (9) -- David Baas, Eric Heitmann, Jonas Jennings, Chilo Rachal, Barry Sims, Adam Snyder, Joe Staley, Cody Wallace, Tony Wragge
• Projected to miss cut (4) --Brian de la Puente, Chris Patrick, Alan Reuber, Joe Toledo
  
• Key issue -- Jennings' injury history makes him a potential liabilty at right tackle. I won't be surprised if Barry Sims starts more games this season. Wragge, a fighter, has probably won the job at right guard after Baas suffered a pectoral injury. I wonder if the 49ers will miss Justin Smiley as a candidate to play left guard.
  

Defensive line

• Projected keepers (5) --Kentwan Balmer, Ron Fields, Aubrayo Franklin, Ray McDonald, Isaac Sopoaga
• Projected to miss cut (4) -- Walter Curry, Atiyyah Ellison, Louis Holmes, LaJuan Ramsey
• Key issue -- The numbers are low at this position because Justin Smith projects at weak outside linebacker. Fields and Franklin suffered injuries Friday night. Neither injury appeared serious, but we don't know for certain yet.

Linebackers

• Projected keepers (9) -- Tully Banta-Cain, Larry Grant, Roderick Green, Manny Lawson, Justin Smith, Takeo Spikes, Dontarrious Thomas, Jeff Ulbrich, Patrick Willis
  
• Projected to miss cut (3) -- Dennis Haley, Parys Haralson (pending injury update), Jay Moore (also injured)
• Key issue -- Lawson's return from reconstructive knee surgery is a key variable. Watch to see if he gains confidence and becomes a difference-maker by October.

Defensive backs

• Projected keepers (10) -- Nate Clements, Dashon Goldson, Walt Harris, Keith Lewis, Michael Lewis, Mark Roman, Tarell Brown, Reggie Smith, Shawntae Spencer, Donald Strickland
• Projected to miss cut (3) -- Markus Curry, Marcus Hudson, D.J. Parker
  
• Key issue --The 49ers like their depth here. Lewis or Hudson? Hudson could stick around, but adding Reggie Smith in the draft might not help his chances. Lewis is more of an in-the-box safety.

Specialists

• Projected keepers -- (4) Andy Lee, Joe Nedney, Brian Jennings, Allen Rossum
  
• Projected to miss cut (1) -- Ricky Schmitt
  
• Key issue -- The NFL lists Rossum at cornerback, but he probably sticks as the return specialist.