There was some good, some bad and some ugly in the San Francisco 49ers second exhibition contest of the season, but the team overall rallied together for a 15-10 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Kyle Shanahan spoke with the media following the game to give his take on a number of moments from the match. Here are a few takeaways:
1. Inactives
It was a lengthy list of 49ers not active in the second preseason match, including a few surprises. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings and running back Trey Sermon were among the 22 players not suited for the contest. Jennings, who is dealing with a heel injury and Sermon, who's working through an ankle injury, were both deemed as "minor" ailments. Details on their availability for the preseason finale next week against the Las Vegas Raiders should be known in the coming days.
2. Running Back Depth
With Sermon sidelined, the 49ers were without four of their top running backs, including Raheem Mostert, Elijah Mitchell and Jeff Wilson Jr. JaMycal Hasty and Wayne Gallman II were the lone 49ers ball carriers on the day and had a near-split workload. Gallman II finished the night with 15 carries for 72 yards and Hasty posted 19 carries for 58 yards and added three receptions for another 21 yards. The 49ers more than doubled the Chargers rushing output, notching 148 net yards on the ground compared to Los Angeles' 53.
"I thought they did a good job," Shanahan said postgame. "When you go into a game with just two backs, it's always a challenge. I was thinking that (FB Josh Hokit) was going to have to help us out there in the fourth (quarter) a little bit, but those guys kept battling and running hard and I thought they did a good job today. There are always runs you want to take back, but those guys have run for us today especially, I think we got like 33 carries. It wasn't all pretty, but it gave us a chance to win out there."
3. Slow Start, Better Finish on Offense
It was an ugly start offensively for San Francisco. Jimmy Garoppolo opened the contest and played 16 snaps. After driving down the field, which included a 10-yard scramble by the quarterback, Garoppolo's opening drive was halted following an interception on a high pass intended for Brandon Aiyuk. Garoppolo finished the night 3-of-6 passing for 15 yards and an interception.
Trey Lance came into the game during the 49ers second series of the night. A slow start from the rookie led to a 49ers punt. His second drive ended in an interception off of a throw that was tipped off the hands of Mohamed Sanu Sr. into the arm of a Chargers defender.
San Francisco's first half woes finally turned in their favor in their final drive. Lance connected on a 41-yard pass to Trent Sherfield to move the 49ers to the Chargers 13. Three plays later, Lance connected with Sanu Sr. with 12 seconds left in the half for a 5-yard score.
Lance's second score of the day came on his second series of the third quarter. Lance orchestrated an 11-play, 63-yard drive that was capped off with a 16-yard strike to Travis Benjamin to take the lead.
The rookie played in six-total series that lingered into the third quarter. He finished his outing 8-of-14 passing, for 102 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for an 89.9 passer rating.
4. Defense Remains Dominate
San Francisco's defense appeared to not have lost a step. The 49ers defense notched five total sacks on the night. Arik Armstead and Samson Ebukam both forced a Chargers punt with third down sacks. Safety Kai Nacua sacked backup quarterback Chase Daniel for a loss of 18 yards. Defensive lineman Jordan Willis sacked quarterback Easton Stick in the end zone for a safety.
Kentavius Street notched a sack, two run stops and multiple quarterback pressures on the night.
Rookie defensive back Deommodore Lenoir broke up a pass intended for Chargers wide receiver KJ Hill Jr. to force a punt on Los Angeles' first drive of the game.
Jared Mayden came up with the 49ers lone takeaway of the night. The safety jumped a route on a pass intended for Hill Jr. and returned the ball for a touchdown. A holding penalty nullified the score, but it was an impressive play nonetheless.
It's worth noting the 49ers defense managed to shut out Los Angeles in the second half of the game. They also finished the night holding the Chargers to 2-of-11 on third down and limited them to 2.6 yards per play.
"I was pumped for our D," Shanahan said. "Anytime you play the run like they did, play like they did on third down, you give your team a chance to win big."
5. Penalties, Penalties and (a lot more) Penalties
It was a penalty fest on Sunday night with 25 total calls across both teams for a whopping 223 yards. Thirteen came from San Francisco for a total of 118 yards. It will be something worth monitoring as the team aims to clean those up by the start of the regular season.
6. Injury Updates
Defensive lineman Maurice Hurst (ankle) and newly signed linebacker Mychal Kendricks (toe) left the game during the 49ers first defensive series and did not return.
Senio Kelemete went down in the fourth quarter with a back injury. The 49ers are awaiting results from the offensive lineman's X-rays.
Cornerback Alexander Myres left the game with a concussion.
7. Miscellaneous
Deebo Samuel, who received an MRI this week for a tight glute, was active for Sunday's matchup. The wideout played into the second quarter and caught one of two targets for nine yards.
Jaylon Moore saw the bulk of the work in the preseason contest stepping in for left tackle Trent Williams. The rookie got the start and closed out the contest.
