49ers vs. Chargers preseason live blog

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo warms up before an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

SANTA CLARA — This is the live for the 49ers preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. I will update this with information and analysis from the press box.

6:30 The following players are in uniform for today’s game:

  • LB Reuben Foster
  • DT Solomon Thomas
  • DT Jullian Taylor
  • OG Joshua Garnett
  • WR Trent Taylor
  • RB Alfred Morris
  • WR Aldrick Robinson
  • WR Richie James
  • WR Kendrick Bourne
  • RB Raheem Mostert

6:33 The following players are not in uniform:

  • DT Arik Armstead
  • OT Mike McGlinchey
  • OG Mike Person
  • C Weston Richburg
  • WR Dante Pettis
  • RB Joe Williams

7:04 The Chargers will receive the opening kickoff.

7:17 Geno Smith leads the Chargers 57 yards for a field goal. Smith scrambled twice for first downs — once on third-and-8, and once on second-and-14. Both times, the 49ers defense had poor gap integrity.

7:22 The 49ers go three-and-out. Alfred Morris started at running back and gained five yards total on his first two carries. On third down, backup left tackle Darrell Williams Jr. gave up a sack to rookie Uchenna Nwosu. The 49ers could have had him, but drafted Dante Pettis instead.

7:28 The Chargers commit a holding penalty on first down and can’t recover. They go three-and-out. Reuben Foster made a six-yard tackle for loss on a screen pass to the running back.

7:36 Nick Mullens replaces Beathard at quarterback, misses his first two pass attempts and the 49ers punt. They have just one NFL-caliber quarterback on their roster.

7:41 The Chargers go three-and-out. Geno Smith is bad.

7:43 On second-and-5, Mullens trips, misses the handoff, gets sacked and fumbles. Whew. The Chargers recover at the 49ers 13.

7:45 The Chargers go backward. On third down, Smith holds the ball forever then runs into a sack. Sheldon Day got him. The Chargers kick a field goal and quietly lead 6-0.

7:56 On second-and-goal from the four-yard line, Kyle Shanahan calls a zone-read play. Mullens keeps the ball and runs into the end zone for the touchdown. The Niners lead 7-6.

8:13 Cardale Jones leads the Chargers on a 73-yard touchdown drive. The Chargers lead 13-7.

8:30 Jeremy McNichols fumbles and the Chargers recover.

8:35 On third-and-goal from the five, Jones throws a touchdown pass to Andre Patton. And the Chargers lead 20-7.

This article has 44 Comments

  1. Hope to see a delayed linebacker blitz up the middle so QBs like Luck cannot escape the pocket.
    .
    GO NINERS.

  2. I was hoping the starting O-line would get at least another quarter of ball, not going to happen with at least three of them not dressing.

  3. “On third down, backup left tackle Darrell Williams Jr. gave up a sack to rookie Uchenna Nwosu. The 49ers could have had him, but drafted Dante Pettis instead.”

    What kind of crap is that? Nwosu beats our backup so he would have been a better pick than Pettis? Crowning Nwosu and burying Pettis based on preseason. SMH.

      1. The guys on KPIX mentioned that LA was picking on Williams. Williams might not make the team.

  4. With Magnuson out for a while, it will interesting to see if Shannahan invests a roster spot to an emergency center. As much as he values that position, I don’t see him not covering. Maybe not on the original 53 man, but when they IR Magnuson, that could very well be the move. And if they decide to not keep both Cooper and Garnett, then it could be on the original 53. I just don’t see him leaving that as a chance to the practice squad.

    1. > it will interesting to see if Shannahan invests a roster spot to an emergency center.
      Shanahan has indeed invested in just such a Person…

      1. ….ok, let me try this a different way. Most teams carry 3 centers, the starter, the backup and an emergency. With Magnuson out, they are down to 2. As much as Shannahan valueI the position, it will be interesting to see how they handle it.

    2. Cooper will not make this roster.
      Garnett will push for the starter position early in the season.

      Not many highlights tonight.
      Pita looks good.
      Little disappointed in Jullian Taylor. Whoops! Sack JT.

    1. Boy, the Niners look like the deeper team tonight. A couple turnovers in your own red zone will kill you every time, but I saw a lot of players flashing tonight! I see a lot more depth, but still a couple question big marks. And Richie James, oh man that boy can ball! Reminds me of Antonio Brown a bit!

      1. CJ only played for one series …
        What you call …”Ballet Football” – ( 1-2-3- kick) ..
        S-o-o-o … is the handwriting on the wall for him ..?

        Did Mullins do enough this preseason .. to move up to
        the #2 spot .. with Hennigan replacing him on the PS … ?

        Your thoughts ?

        1. Nah, CJ is the #2, and I’m not sure I’m all that comfortable with that, but hey, it’s all about Jimmy G! The Niners’ defensive line is stacked, and OL depth seemed to come together at the end of pre season. ILB is deep. WR depth is ridiculous! Deep at RB if McKinnon and Breida are healthy. Really, much more depth on the roster this year.

          Still questions at DB pass rush and OT depth.!

          9-7, maybe 10-6, if they cut out the stupid turnovers and penalties …. IF.

          You know this offense is going to score points.

      2. The good:
        O-line.
        Pass D.
        QB Pressure
        Richie James

        The not so good:
        Still making unforced errors
        Not finishing sacks
        Not generating turnovers
        2 minute D

  5. Well, the unforced errors were kept to a minimum.
    .
    Glad the preseason is over, and now the real games count.
    .
    Wonder if any players won or lost a spot on the 53, due to his play this game.

  6. Well, if the 49ers were hoping to hide Richie James so they could sneak him onto the PS, they failed…

    1. They sure did.. Scooter …and …
      I agree with AES .. (above) ….
      Richie .. IS .. a keeper !

  7. I still believe Ross Dwelley should be our #3 TE. Hope he makes the PS. Dude can block and he made some great catches tonight. OTOH, Hikutuni did not look like roster material.

  8. My final 53.

    QB: Garoppolo, Beathard
    HB: McKinnon, Breida, Morris, Mostert
    FB: Juszczyk
    WR: Goodwin, Garcon, Taylor, Pettis, Bourne, James
    TE: Kittle, Celek, Wick
    T: Staley, McGlinchey, Gilliam
    G: Tomlinson, Person, Garnett, Cooper
    C: Richburg

    Big End: Armstead, Taylor, Blair
    NT: D.J. Jones, Day
    3T: Buckner
    LEO: Thomas, Attaochu, Marsh
    MIKE: Warner, Coyle
    WILL: Foster, Smith
    SAM: Nzeocha, Watson, Taumoepenu
    CB: Sherman, Witherspoon, Ward, Moore, Mabin
    SCB: Williams, Reed
    FS: Colbert
    SS: Tartt, Powell

    K: Gould
    P: Pinion
    LS: Nelson

    Lee makes the team while Foster is suspended.

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