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Neither the Minnesota Vikings nor the San Francisco 49ers will be trying out anything too drastic in their first preseason game, with getting the young guys reps and avoiding any injuries usually the two points of the day this early in the NFL year.
Minnesota, in particular, has plenty of positions that were experiencing tight battles, which should extend all the way to the field at Candlestick Park on Friday night. Wide receivers, safeties and others will be watched closely as they try to prove their worth.
And of course, Christian Ponder will also be closely scrutinized against a tough 49ers defense, even though said defense probably won't be going at 100 percent.
Game Date/Time: Friday, August 10, 9:00 p.m. ET
Location: Candlestick Park, San Francisco, Ca.
TV Schedule: TV: WUCW - 23 (Minnesota), NFL Red Zone, Radio: KFAN (FM 100.3) and Sirius: 135
For more on the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers, check out their respective SB Nation blogs at The Daily Norseman and Niners Nation. More news and analysis on the NFL as preseason begins to roll along can be found over at SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub as well as the SB Nation Youtube channel: