The San Francisco 49ers demonstrated a significant turnaround in their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night, earning redemption after a challenging joint practice session earlier in the week. The teams met at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, for their first preseason action involving starting quarterbacks and extended play for several key 49ers.
Both starting quarterbacks, Brock Purdy for the 49ers and Justin Herbert for the Chargers, played only one series. Purdy saw 12 snaps, while Herbert had three. By halftime, the 49ers held a commanding 20-3 lead.
Several players stood out for San Francisco. The 49ers' defense, under Raheem Morris, displayed a more varied and disruptive approach compared to the previous practice. Rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling made a strong case for a starting position, catching two first downs among his four receptions for 46 yards on five targets before leaving the game. Through two preseason games, Stribling has recorded 11 of 13 targets for 108 yards. He has shown consistent improvement throughout his first training camp, and his in-game rapport with Purdy was evident, as the quarterback completed three of his four passes for 25 yards when targeting Stribling.
Another pivotal moment came from Jacob Cowing, who returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. This electrifying play, the first punt return touchdown for the 49ers since Ted Ginn Jr. in 2011, could secure Cowing's roster spot. The fourth-round pick from 2024 had missed his entire rookie season due to a hamstring injury. Deebo Samuel, making his preseason debut, also lined up deep on punts but signaled for a fair catch twice, not attempting a return. Samuel has been listed as the top kick returner since signing with the team but has never returned a punt in his NFL career.
The 49ers' defense set up the punt return opportunities by forcing four three-and-outs in the first half. Sam Okuayinonu and Jaden Dugger combined for a tackle for loss on the Chargers' opening play from scrimmage. Cornerback Renardo Green also had a strong start before exiting with a hamstring injury, making two open-field tackles and breaking up a pass on third down.
Quarterback Trey Lance took over after Purdy's series. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 73 yards. During his time on the field, Lance overshot a deep pass to an open receiver and missed a coverage breakdown that left his running back open. Several starters did not play, including Trent Williams, Dominic Puni, Fred Warner, and Mike Evans. Rookie Carver Willis started at left guard alongside the first-string offensive line.