The San Francisco 49ers were handed a defeat by the Los Angeles Chargers in their preseason finale, here we look at three big takeaways from the game.
The San Francisco 49ers were unable to end preseason on a high as a late field goal handed the Los Angeles Chargers a 23-21 victory.
Though Kyle Shanahan will have cared little about the end result, but the game should have helped him come to some conclusions on the final 53-man roster for the regular season.
Here we look at three big takeaways from the preseason finale.
RB group looks settled
The 49ers had two turnovers deep in their own territory. One came as Nick Mullens slipped on a drop back, but the other at the start of the second half was more significant, Jeremy McNichols fumbling away the ball, and probably his hopes of making the team. McNichols, who did rumble in for a score that briefly put the Niners 21-20 ahead, has not done enough in preseason to overcome such mistakes.
Alfred Morris got a few carries to start the game but essentially earned his spot on the roster last week against the Indianapolis Colts. Even if the 49ers carry a fourth back, McNichols’ fumble should have ensured it will be special teamer Raheem Mostert who is given that job.
Defense cranks up the pressure
The drop-off in offensive line play is most evident when the reserves start in the preseason finale, and the 49ers front seven took full advantage against the Chargers. San Francisco hounded Geno Smith and Cardale Jones on a regular basis, Solomon Thomas a one-man wrecking ball in his one series on the field while Ronald Blair and Pita Taumoepenu made late pushes to secure spots on the final 53.
That duo were disruptive throughout and Blair registered a sack, with their performances potentially carrying importance for a team that greatly values their depth on the defensive side of the trenches and is in need of as much talent on the edge as it can get.
James gives offense a second-half jolt
A lot of the players on the field for the 49ers in the second half will not make an impact for the team in 2018. The same cannot be said for Richie James. The seventh-round pick has been one of the stars of training camp and preseason and flashed more of what the 49ers can expect from him in the regular season.
James was the go-to target on a string of long drives for both Nick Mullens and Jack Heneghan, finishing with seven catches for 80 yards. His 23-yard punt return helped set up Jeff Wilson’s two-yard touchdown run, and James’ ability to make an impact on special teams as well as offense will in all likelihood see him lock up the final spot on the receiving depth chart.