49ers Preseason Game 3 tie 24-24 with the Raiders
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws the ball in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason game Friday August 23,2024 at Allegiant Stadium. David Becker/Associated Press
2024.08.23 – 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was efficient in completing 9 of 12 passes for 96 yards, and San Francisco tie 24-24 with the Las Vegas Raiders on the preseason game 3 Friday night.
Purdy also threw a red-zone interception in which he then put a scare into his coach by making a touchdown-saving tackle.
“When it happened, I was hoping he wouldn’t tackle him,” San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said “Because it’s preseason, let him score. But the fact he tackled him and got him down and didn’t get hurt, I’m glad he didn’t.”
Their starting quarterback emerged uninjured despite a few scares, but the San Francisco 49ers weren’t as fortunate Friday when it came to one of their few players with an extensive track record of sacking QBs.
Pass rusher Leonard Floyd, the 49ers’ biggest free-agent signing, exited with a possibly minor knee injury in the first quarter.
The 49ers signed Floyd to a two-year, $20 million contract in March in hopes he can provide a missing defensive element: A disruptive edge rusher to pair with Nick Bosa.
Head coach Shanahan said Floyd and pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos “most likely” suffered knee sprains, but they were to undergo MRIs to provide confirmation. Shanahan said “we’ll see” when asked if it was likely they would be available for the regular-season opener against the Jets on Sept. 9.
2024.08.23 (49ers vs Raiders) Game Highlights
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) runs the ball in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason game Friday August 23,2024 at Allegiant Stadium. David Becker/Associated Press
2024.08.23 (49ers vs Raiders) Game Highlights – (FL-Highlights)
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (NBC Sports Post Game)
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (NBC Sports Post Game)
Daniel Carlson’s 43-yard field goal with 16 seconds left pulled the Raiders (0-2-1) even with the 49ers (1-1-1). Joshua Dobbs’ 10-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Cowing late in the third quarter put the 49ers ahead 24-21.
Dobbs finished his strong preseason by completing 8 of 10 passes for 72 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown throw to rookie wide receiver Cowing. Brandon Allen, who has been Dobbs’ competition for the backup job this summer, completed 5 of 7 passes for 60 yards.
Each team took an opposite approach to the game with the regular season two weeks away. The 49ers played most of their starters in the first quarter and the Raiders went with backups auditioning for roster spots in Las Vegas or another NFL team.
Clubs must reduce their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday, and Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said he would discuss with general manager Tom Telesco what moves to make.
“It’s not easy cutting 37 men and telling them they got to find somewhere else to play,” Pierce said.
One player fighting for a slot was Raiders quarterback Nathan Peterman, who received the surprise start after Pierce said Wednesday that Carter Bradley would open the game.
Tyreik McAllister, another Raiders player competing for a spot, returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown and caught a 35-yard TD pass.
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (95.7 the Game Post Game)
49ers runningback Isaac Guerendo (49) runs downfield in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason game Friday August 23,2024 at Allegiant Stadium. David Becker/Associated Press
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (95.7 the Game Post Game)
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (95.7 the Game Post Game)
On the other end, the 49ers wanted to get a close look at most of their starters, which included the preseason debuts of wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle. Kittle made a highlight 19-yard grab between two defenders and finished with three catches for 34 yards. His previous preseason career total: four receptions for 47 yards.
Not all the 49ers starters played, however, in the team’s first appearance at Allegiant Stadium since losing in the Super Bowl six months earlier to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Actually really like the stadium,” Shanahan said. “Cool atmosphere. It’s one of the newer stadiums that feels truly like a football stadium when you’re inside there. I like having games here. But, yeah, wasn’t the best feeling going into the locker room remembering the last time you were in there, but you get over it pretty fast.”
Among the missing were All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey because of a calf injury. Also, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk have been in contract disputes that remain to unresolved even with the season just two weeks away.
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
49ers runningback Isaac Guerendo (49) runs downfield in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders in a preseason game Friday August 23,2024 at Allegiant Stadium. David Becker/Associated Press
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
2024.08.23 – 49ers vs Raiders (Krueger & Crew Post Game)
Aiyuk, however, was at Allegiant Stadium on Friday night and even chatted with Pierce before the game. Pierce was the linebackers coach at Arizona State when Aiyuk played there in 2018-19.
Aiyuk didn’t travel with the team two weeks earlier when the Niners played at Nashville and watched last week’s home game against New Orleans from a private box.
Purdy played just into the second quarter against the Raiders’ reserves, taking a 10-0 lead and nearly going up three scores.
“It felt good to get out there with the guys and move the ball,” Purdy said. “We were all in rhythm.”
The first possession resulted in a 49-yard field goal by Jake Moody, and then Purdy guided the 49ers on a 12-play, 85-yard touchdown drive. San Francisco was at the Raiders’ 16-yard line early in the second period when Purdy’s pass to Samuel was broken up by cornerback Sam Webb and picked off by safety Chris Smith II.
That’s when Purdy stepped in to make his third career tackle in preseason, regular season and the playoffs are all counted.
“I’m trying to get him out of bounds and have our defense get good field position,” Purdy said. “I felt like I had leverage to get him out of bounds and that’s what I tried to do. Obviously, I don’t want to be tackling in the preseason, but it happened so quick.”
Let’s not forget 49ers 4th round pick RB Isaac Guerendo with some flash in the return game. The power and speed blend on display here. 93 yard return.
Then it was up to the reserves on both sides.
INJURIES
49ers: Left defensive ends Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd left with sprained knees late in the first quarter and entered the blue injury tent. Shanahan said both will undergo MRIs on Saturday.
UP NEXT
49ers: Host the New York Jets on Sept. 9 to open the season.
Raiders: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 8 in the season opener.
Related: 49ers win preseason GM2 over Saints
Related: See below – 49ers rally to beat Lions and secure Super Bowl trip
Read more at: San Francisco 49ers Media Services / More AP NFL
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