How 49ers quarterback Purdy looked in the final preseason game against the Raiders Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
LAS VEGAS — Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense showed a little more chemistry in San Francisco’s third preseason game on Friday, but it definitely wasn’t perfect.
Most of the first team was on the field for three series against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium and made some noteworthy plays and others they wish they had back. Purdy had George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and JP Mason at his disposal after all three were sidelined. Preseason win over the New Orleans Saints.
Purdy started his first drive with a 25-yard pass to Samuel, followed by a 15-yard completion to Kittle. The drive then stalled after Mason was tackled for a five-yard loss, followed by two incomplete passes from Purdy: one to Mason and one to Kittle on a pass behind the tight end.
The 49ers’ second drive was reminiscent of the 2023 season, when it seemed like Purdy and Co. couldn’t be stopped. The 12-play, 85-yard drive involved more of the offense with completions to tight end Jake Tonges and Kittle, as well as runs by Mason and rookie running back Isaac Guerendo, who just returned to the practice field this week.
Purdy also showed off his own ability to elude defenders with a 14-yard run to keep the drive alive. Mason capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run and when the second-year running back returned to the sideline, running backs coach Bobby Turner gave Mason a pat on the back and a “good job.”
Purdy’s third and final offensive drive started well with a 15-yard pass to Chris Conley, followed by a five-yard completion to Samuel before some Mason running resulted in a Purdy sack. The third-year quarterback’s ill-advised pass to Samuel was tipped in the air and intercepted by Raiders safety Chris Smith II and returned 31 yards.
Overall, the 49ers’ offense looked much more in sync than it did last week, but there’s still plenty to work on before their Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets on “Monday Night Football.” Purdy finished the game completing 9 of 16 passing attempts for 96 yards and one interception with a 63.2 rating.
Missing from the lineup were fullback Kyle Juszczyk (veteran rest), running back Christian McCaffrey (calf), wide receivers Jauan Jennings (oblique), Brandon Aiyuk and left tackle Trent Williams, all of whom are key contributors to the offense. Their returns will help the group get back to being the well-oiled machine fans have seen from the group in the past.
One positive development was the success of the running backs’ rushing attack, even with some offensive linemen sidelined. The starting lineup Friday night included: Jaylon Moore at left tackle, Nick Zakelj at left guard, Jack Brendel at center, Dominick Puni at right guard and Colton McKivitz at right tackle.
With a few more weeks of practice and a full complement of offensive players on the field, the 49ers have the potential to be as good as they have been in the past.