The San Francisco 49ers opened up their exhibition slate with a 17-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday evening. As expected, a majority of the team's veteran players and expected starters did not see playing time in the preseason opener, and instead watched on the sidelines. This game allowed younger players, rookies, and recent free agent signings to take the lion's share of the game reps. Additionally, Klay Kubiak, the 49ers offensive passing game specialist, was calling the plays versus Tennessee.
49ers Put New Kickoff Rule Into Action
After winning the toss, the 49ers opted to receive the ball first and had second-year receiver Ronnie Bell and wideout Trent Taylor got the first go at returning under the new kickoff rule. San Francisco has been testing out a number of kick returning tandems over the course of training camp, so this duo could be one of a few the team tests out this preseason. In his first attempt, Taylor returned the ball for 18 yards to set up the 49ers on their own 26 yard line for their first offensive series. He would return the ball 19 yards in his second attempt to offer San Francisco similar field position on their next possession. In the fourth quarter, wide receiver Tay Martin and running back Cody Schrader were the tandem of kick returners for the 49ers.
As the kicking team, the 49ers allowed an explosive play early that materialized into a 63-yard return for Tennessee but limited the Titans to an 18-yard return to open the second half.
LB Dee Winters Impresses Early
The sophomore linebacker spoke earlier in the week about the game slowing down in his second season, and he made the plays to prove it early in the first quarter. Winters played aggressively and forcefully in the opener, notching a big-time goal line tackle of Titans quarterback Will Levis to hold off a would-be touchdown on that play. He later recorded a tackle for a loss of six yards on running back Tyjae Spears.
RB Jordan Mason Punches in the San Francisco First Touchdown
With the 49ers running back room hit by the injury bug as of late, the 49ers looked to a mostly new group of running backs to carry the ground game against the Titans. Mason, now entering his third season with San Francisco and a standout this training camp, played just one offensive series, racking up six carries for 34 yards a touchdown in the opening drive. Mason barreled his way through a pile of defenders to find pay dirt and give the 49ers the 7-0 lead with 9:26 left in the first quarter. His touchdown was San Francisco's only score in the first half.
Rookie Highlights
Safety Malik Mustapha made a highlight-worthy play in the second quarter of Saturday's contest. On a Tennessee fourth down attempt, Mustapha brought down Titans running back Hassan Haskins in the backfield. Although the Titans were initially awarded the first down, San Francisco challenged the call and won, meaning the rookie forced a turnover on downs. The 49ers took over on the two yard line.
Rookie corner Renardo Green came up with a loose ball on a botched pitch from Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph to his running ball. Green's big defensive play set the 49ers up on their 46 yard line.
Offensive lineman Dominick Puni got the start at right guard along with Chris Hubbard, Aaron Banks, Nick Zakelj and Colton McKivitz in the preseason opener. San Francisco has had some early injuries on the O-line, opening the door for rookies to get valuable playing time in camp and the preseason.
Quarterback Split Between Brandon Allen and Joshua Dobbs
Allen and Dobbs, who are both contenders for the backup quarterback job behind Brock Purdy, each played one half of Saturday's contest. Allen was under center first and closed out the night completing 7-of-13 pass attempts for 98 yards. His best throws included a 21-yard third down conversion to Bell on the right side and deep shot down the the middle to wideout Frank Darby.
Dobbs took over in the second half and completed 14-of-20 pass attempts for 146 yards. His best throws of the night included a shot to Martin down the left sideline for a 13-yard gain during his first drive, and then in the fourth quarter, he hit Taylor for a 21-yard gain on third-and-15. Dobbs went on to punch in the touchdown on his own, scrambling and flipping into the end zone for the score. San Francisco's was unable to convert two-point try following Dobbs' touchdown. However, the veteran quarterback kept the 49ers in it until the end of regulation. On San Francisco's last offensive possession, Dobbs led the offense down the field before attempting one final pass play to the end zone.
