49er Linebacker Faces Test vs. Raiders

John Johnson is at the center of a defensive shuffle that could become permanent for the San Francisco 49ers if it plays to favorable reviews in today’s exhibition game against the Raiders at Stanford Stadium.

Johnson, a reserve in his first two seasons with the 49ers, is making his first start of the year at right outside linebacker as part of a move to compensate for the absence of Keith DeLong, a contract holdout for the second straight year.

DeLong, the incumbent starter at strong inside linebacker, will be replaced by Mike Walter, who normally plays weak inside linebacker. Bill Romanowski is moving from the outside to the inside to replace Walter, and Johnson comes off the bench in place of Romanowski.

“We want to work that combination. There’s a possibility we’re going to have to play that way,” San Francisco coach George Seifert said.

The 49ers and DeLong have dug in for another long holdout. Last year, DeLong didn’t sign until just before the regular season began, and the 49ers started Johnson and shifted the positions of Romanowski and Walter until DeLong was ready to play in Week 3.

The 49ers also will have a different look on their defensive line, with Kevin Fagan and rookie Artie Smith at ends and rookie Dana Stubblefield at nose tackle.

However, end Dennis Brown and nose tackle Ted Washington, cleared to practice with the team after three weeks of conditioning, also are expected to see some action. Brown and Washington, both projected starters, are looking to reclaim their jobs.

Both the Raiders and 49ers won their exhibition openers. Los Angeles defeated Green Bay 19-3 at the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, and San Francisco won its 11th consecutive exhibition by beating Pittsburgh 21-14 in an American Bowl game at Barcelona.

Steve Young is scheduled to start at quarterback for San Francisco and he’ll be followed by Steve Bono and Bill Musgrave.

The Raiders are expected to open with Jeff Hostetler at quarterback followed by Vince Evans and Todd Marinovich.

Raider left tackle Gerald Perry will miss the game because of a torn triceps muscle in his right arm.