The 49ers continued their preseason slate on Thursday night and headed to Levi’s South to take on their former head coach Jim Harbaugh and his Los Angeles Chargers. With a lot of questions surrounding position battles and how some of the rookies would play, the Niners left their home away from home with an impressive 41-17 victory that featured several highlights. Let’s take a look at the highs and lows of the 49ers win.
Hot:
The Strib Club
De’Zhaun Stribling has been nothing short of a revelation in his first two preseason games. Four catches for 46 yards doesn’t wow anyone on paper, but Stribling has shown strong hands and a willingness to go across the middle. His continued growth is only going to keep the excitement over his abilities and usage at a fever pitch headed into the regular season when Kyle Shanahan unleashes the full scope of his offense.
The Punt Return Competition may be over
Early in the game, Deebo Samuel was tapped to return punts, and the results were uninspiring. Downed balls and fair catches bring little fanfare. Jacob Cowing would assume the duties, and then in the late in the second quarter, the Faithful saw something rare. Cowing would field a punt at the 17-yard line and race across the field and around the edge on his way to an 83-yard touchdown! As special teams have been a struggle for the 49ers for the better part of the last decade, Cowing may have earned himself a roster spot on just one play.
Jaden Dugger
Another player from the 49ers’ 2026 draft class that has been heavily scrutinized, Dugger’s length and athleticism have been impressive so far through the first two games. Although Dugger was beat initially while covering Chargers Tight End Oronde Gadsden, he was able to recover and use his size to break up a pass downfield to an equally large Gadsden. By showcasing his ability and versatility, Dugger is looking to find himself a role in Raheem Morris’ defense this season.
A CMC-less Rushing Attack
It’s the preseason and absolutely nobody expects Christian McCaffrey to see the field, but his understudies were on display Thursday night. Rookie Kaelon Black got the start in his first action with the Niners. He looked decisive and ran with power in his limited action, but his pass protection may have been his biggest highlight as he appealed to Shanahan’s insistence on blocking by effectively protecting his quarterback. Sincere McCormick took over and showcased his abilities with six carries for 53 yards and a touchdown with a long of 37 yards. Maybe this will be the year that CMC doesn’t see the ball 400 times.
Lukewarm
The 2021 Draft Debate
Admit it, if you were a 49ers fan in the spring of 2021, you hated the idea that they traded up to the third pick to draft Mac Jones. And then you may have even ‘invested’ long term in a number five Trey Lance jersey shortly after the draft. As the respective backups last night, (not for the teams they were drafted by) we went back to the future to see what could have possibly been if things had broken differently.
Cold
Anyone have a Left Guard?
We are now nine days away from the 53-man roster being announced, and the answer to who will line up next to Trent Williams is no clearer now then it was headed into Training Camp. Connor Colby and Robert Jones entered camp as the favorites for the job, but neither has been able to lock it down. Rookie Carver Willis has inserted himself into the conversation as well, but like Colby and Jones has not done enough to take the job. Time will tell, but this will be a glaring problem this season until it isn’t.
Hamstrings
It wouldn’t be a 49ers game if it ended with a fully healthy roster, and Thursday night would prove to be no different. Renardo Green and Nick Martin, both of whom are earmarked for big roles this year, suffered hamstring injuries. While no timeline has been given as of yet for returns, hamstrings can linger and alter playing time and roles. Offensive lineman Austin Pleasants also suffered an apparent knee injury which could sideline home for quite a while.
Saying Goodbye
We are almost at that time where we have attached ourselves to players that are fighting for a spot on the roster that we will inevitably have to say farewell to. Every year a player will flash and generate some buzz, only to never be seen or heard from again. Next Sunday will be the end of the road for a lot of roster hopefuls, but can they do enough to catch on somewhere, anywhere in the league?