August 11th 2024.
The 49ers' preseason opener against the Titans in Nashville may not have erased the bitter taste of last season's Super Bowl loss, but it was a promising start for the team. With most of the regular starters resting, backup quarterback Brandon Allen led a strong 11-play drive that ended in a touchdown run by Jordan Mason, who filled in for the injured Christian McCaffrey.
Josh Dobbs, making his debut for the 49ers, also showed promise with a touchdown run of his own. Despite some missteps on special teams and defense, the game provided valuable insights into which reserves may earn a spot on the roster. Coach Kyle Shanahan, for the first time in 16 years, handed over play-calling duties to Klay Kubiak, a fourth-year assistant and specialist in the passing game.
Shanahan, who will likely resume play-calling in the next game against the Saints, had no updates on the contract negotiations for disgruntled wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk or the holdout of left tackle Trent Williams. Both players missed the trip to Nashville, along with several other key players who are rehabilitating or resting.
Meanwhile, those who did make the trip, including Purdy, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk, enjoyed some team bonding off the field. Kittle even hosted a workout and lunch for his teammates at his home in the suburbs of Nashville.
Allen, who is vying for the backup quarterback role behind Purdy, impressed in his first action since last preseason. He completed passes to Ronnie Bell, Chris Conley, and Eric Saubert on the opening drive, and later made some accurate deep throws that were unfortunately dropped. Dobbs took over in the second half and showed off his scrambling abilities with a 6-yard touchdown run.
Despite the loss, the game provided an important opportunity for players to showcase their skills and make a case for a spot on the roster. For some, it was their first taste of professional football, including third-round pick Dominick Puni who made his debut for the 49ers.
The special teams coverage struggled early on, allowing a long kick return and a decent punt return, but managed to prevent any major damage thanks to tackles by Jalen Graham and fill-in punter Pressley Harvin. Each return set up a Titans' touchdown drive, but the 49ers' defense held strong for the most part.
Overall, it was a positive first game for the 49ers in six months, providing a much-needed break from the ongoing drama surrounding Aiyuk's contract and Williams' holdout. With more preseason games and joint practices on the horizon, the team is focused on fine-tuning their game and preparing for the regular season opener against the Jets.
The San Francisco 49ers kicked off their preseason with a tough loss to the Tennessee Titans. While their opening drive ended in a touchdown, it couldn't erase the disappointment of their Super Bowl loss last season. The game took place in the Tennessee twilight, with most of the regular starters sitting out and allowing the reserves to showcase their skills.
Brock Purdy's fill-in, Brandon Allen, led the team in the first drive, completing 11 plays and finishing with a touchdown run by Jordan Mason. Josh Dobbs, in his 49ers debut, also added a touchdown with a scramble into the end zone. Despite their efforts, the 49ers couldn't secure a win in the final seconds, with a Hail Mary pass getting intercepted.
While there were some standout performances, there were also some mistakes and injuries. The coverage on special teams was not up to par, and cornerback Ambry Thomas suffered a broken forearm. However, the game did provide valuable insights into which reserves could potentially secure a spot on the roster. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also handed over play-calling duties to Klay Kubiak, a fourth-year assistant and their pass-game specialist.
Shanahan explained that this was not a big deal for him and that Kubiak had earned the opportunity. It was an adjustment for Shanahan, who had been calling plays for 16 years. He did get to throw a red flag and call timeouts, but he will most likely reclaim play-calling duties next week when the 49ers host the Saints in joint practices.
This game marked the 49ers' first in six months, since their Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. It also provided a break from the ongoing drama surrounding Brandon Aiyuk's contract and potential trade. Aiyuk didn't make the trip, and neither did left tackle Trent Williams, who is still holding out. Shanahan didn't have any updates on their situations but remains hopeful that they will be resolved.
A number of players were left back in the Bay Area to recover or rest, including Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey, Fred Warner, and Ricky Pearsall. On the sidelines, many players were wearing T-shirts, including Purdy, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk. Kittle even hosted a workout and lunch for some players at his home in the Nashville suburbs.
Allen showed promise in his first appearance since last preseason and is looking to secure the backup spot behind Purdy. He made some impressive completions to Ronnie Bell, Chris Conley, and Eric Saubert, but also had a few passes dropped. Dobbs took over in the second half and managed to bring the 49ers within four points with a touchdown run. However, they couldn't overcome the deficit and ended the game with a loss.
Purdy may not have been on the field, but he was still involved in the game. He listened to play calls, reviewed video replays, and cheered on his teammates from the sidelines. Only a few starters from this game are expected to start in the regular-season opener against the Jets on September 9.
The game also highlighted some issues on special teams, with a 63-yard kick return and a 26-yard punt return by the Titans. However, some well-timed tackles helped prevent the returns from causing more damage. These returns set up two of the Titans' touchdowns, both of which were short runs by quarterback Will Levis.
Despite the loss, the 49ers were able to get back into game mode after a long offseason. With the regular season just a few weeks away, they will continue to work on improving and addressing any issues before their first game.
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