The San Francisco 49ers opened their 2026 preseason slate Thursday night at Levi's® Stadium against the Tennessee Titans, marking the first live game opportunity for the team's rookies, young players, and new additions.
The matchup also featured a familiar face on the opposite sideline, Titans head coach Robert Saleh. Saleh spent five seasons as the 49ers defensive coordinator with Kyle Shanahan, first from 2017-20 before returning last year to San Francisco for the 2025 season. Thursday marked his first preseason game as Tennessee's head coach.
San Francisco's first of three preseason games ended in a 19-13 loss to Tennessee. Here are five takeaways from the opener:
1. Stribling Leads the Receivers
Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling emerged as one of San Francisco's most productive pass catchers in the first half, hauling in seven receptions for 63 yards.
His biggest gain came on a 32-yard connection with quarterback Kurtis Rourke on third-and-five, which helped set up the 49ers touchdown drive in the second quarter. Stribling later added an 11-yard reception on third-and-six.
Stribling's performance tonight continued a strong stretch of work from Training Camp. After missing some time with hamstring tightness, the rookie returned to full-team action on Saturday and carried that momentum into Tuesday's joint practice against Tennessee, where he hauled in five receptions.
2. Watkins Makes His Mark
Wide receiver Jordan Watkins also became a consistent target for the 49ers offense throughout the night, catching six passes for 59 yards on 10 targets.
Watkins connected with QB Adrian Martinez for 13 yards on the quarterback's first completion of the night and added a nine-yard reception right before halftime.
The second-year receiver continued to make plays after half. Watkins caught a seven-yard pass late in the third quarter before opening the fourth with back-to-back receptions, one being 20 yards, which helped move San Francisco from its own 40-yard line to Tennessee's 13.
3. 49ers Pass Rush Came Alive in Second Half
San Francisco's defense turned up the pressure after halftime, with multiple members of the defensive front getting to Titans quarterback Will Levis.
Defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo recorded the 49ers first official sack of the night, bringing Levis down for an eight-yard loss in the third quarter. Linebacker Tatum Bethune followed with a 10-yard sack.
The pressure continued into the fourth quarter when defensive linemen James Thompson Jr. and defensive back Larry Worth III brought Levis down together.
The group also created disruption beyond just sacks, with defensive lineman Quinton Bell batting down a pass in the third quarter as well as the secondary recording a handful of pass breakups.
4. Rourke and Martinez Split Quarterback Duties
With several of San Francisco's veteran starters sitting out the preseason opener, quarterbacks Rourke and Martinez handled the offense Thursday night.
Rourke started and completed 12-of-14 passes for 101 yards, leading a 68-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. He connected with Stribling five times on the possession, before running back Patrick Taylor Jr. ran the ball in from one yard out.
Rourke was later ruled out with a rib injury, and Martinez took over the offense.
Martinez completed 16-of-30 passes for 159 yards and added a 10-yard scramble. His late second-quarter drive included an 18-yard pass to wide receiver Trenton Irwin, a 10-yard scramble, and a nine-yard connection with Watkins.
5. 49ers Sustain Drives but Struggle to Finish
San Francisco consistently moved the ball throughout the preseason opener, finishing with 322 total yards, 22 first downs, and a 9-of-19 mark on third down. The 49ers also controlled possession for 32:48, nearly five minutes longer than Tennessee.
The 49ers capitalized on one of their sustained drives with an 11-play, second-quarter possession that ended with Taylor Jr. scoring on a one-yard rushing touchdown. Kicker Eddy Piñeiro added six points on a pair of field goals, including a 41-yarder that pulled San Francisco within one score.
WHAT'S NEXT
The 49ers will travel to Southern California for their second week of the preseason, beginning with a joint practice against the Los Angeles Chargers on Tuesday. San Francisco will then face the Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 20.
