SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a brief tune-up for the season opener, San Francisco’s Brock Purdy scored a 5-yard touchdown before the Los Angeles Chargers backups defeated the 49ers 23-12 in the exhibition finale on Friday night.
The teams adopted different strategies for the final preseason game, with San Francisco (1-2) having Purdy and several other starters play for two drives, while the Chargers (2-1) predominantly utilized second and third-string players.
“We’re prepared to get this thing rolling,” expressed Purdy.
The game transpired shortly after the Niners traded their former quarterback of the future, Trey Lance, to Dallas in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick.
Lance became dispensable due to the emergence of Purdy, less than three years after San Francisco traded three first-round picks to secure him as the third overall draft pick.
“Obviously, we took a chance, and it didn’t work,” admitted coach Kyle Shanahan. “That’s on us. I won’t label it as a failure, as that would be too negative towards Trey. I comprehend our decision. We took a gamble on that. We hoped he could be our guy, and it didn’t work out. But I still believe in Trey.”
Purdy earned the starting job last season after Lance’s injury and seems poised to build on his impressive rookie campaign. He led the offense smoothly on his two drives, with the first ending due to a fumble by Jordan Mason at the goal line, and the second culminating in Purdy’s touchdown run. Purdy completed 5 out of 9 passes for 73 yards.
Sam Darnold, who won the backup job over Lance, struggled to generate momentum for the Niners offense in his initial three drives but ended the night by throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Willie Snead.
Brandon Allen, now positioned as the third-stringer if San Francisco retains three quarterbacks, threw an interception on his first pass of the game.
The Chargers had been searching for options at running back behind starter Austin Ekeler, and Joshua Kelley made a strong case with a 75-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
Backup quarterback Easton Stick also led a field-goal drive in the first half, finishing the game with a 9-for-11 completion rate and 38 passing yards.
Third-string QB Max Duggan concluded the scoring with a 3-yard pass to Hunter Kampmoyer.
“To win a game on the road against a quality team, a team that started their starters, was a significant confidence boost for our guys,” remarked Chargers coach Brandon Staley.
INJURY REPORT
Chargers: DL Christian Okoye sustained an elbow injury in the second half but returned to the game.
49ers: Third-round rookie K Jake Moody did not play after straining his right quadriceps in practice. He is considered day-to-day. Zane Gonzalez was expected to play but injured his calf during pregame warmups and was unable to participate. Punter Mitch Wishnowsky missed an extra point. WR Chris Conley (shoulder), DB A.J. Parker (hamstring), and S Taylor Hawkins (hand) left the game with injuries.
UP NEXT
Chargers: Host Miami for the season opener on September 10.
49ers: Commence the season on September 10 with an away game against Pittsburgh.
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