The San Francisco 49ers welcomed back the Faithful to Levi's Stadium® on Sunday evening for the team's only home game of the 2024 exhibition schedule. With the team opting to forego joint practices versus the New Orleans Saints earlier this week, head coach Kyle Shanahan was forthcoming with his plans to have a number of his expected starters get some early snaps in this game. However, not every veteran suited up against the Saints, including tight end George Kittle, cornerback Charvarius Ward, defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., defensive lineman Nick Bosa, defensive lineman Leonard Floyd and linebacker Fred Warner who were watching from the sidelines.
Below are the five takeaways from Saints vs. 49ers:
Quarterback Brock Purdy Under Center to Start
The plan was to have QB1 under center heading into the weekend, so Purdy getting the start and a limited workload should come as no surprise. Shanahan kept Purdy out on the field for the entirety of the first quarter, which amounted to three offensive series before Joshua Dobbs took over. With the recent pinky injury to offensive lineman Aaron Banks, Purdy had a change in the line protecting him with Jaylon Moore at left tackle, Nick Zakelj at left guard, Jake Brendel at center, Dominick Puni at right guard and Colton McKivitz at right tackle.
Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen and Tanner Mordecai Roundup
San Francisco's offseason addition entered the game in the second quarter and wasted no time getting to work, leading the 49ers to three-straight scoring drives. In his first series, Dobbs put together a nine-play, 41-yard drive that resulted in a 47-yard field goal made by kicker Jake Moody. Five of those plays were 10-plus yard connections to Jacob Cowing, Cameron Latu, Cody Schrader and Trent Taylor. His second drive began deep in Saints territory and ended with another field goal, this time with a 24-yarder from Moody. Dobbs third and final offensive series was an 11-play, 80-yard charge down the field that ended in a one-yard touchdown he punched in himself. Dobbs hit running back Matt Breida and Cowing for 20-plus yard third down conversions and picked a first down of his own with an 11-yard scramble during the series. Similarly to his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans, Dobbs flipped into the end zone for the one-yard score.
Allen opened up the second half of the game completing seven of 10 passing attempts for 36 yards. The veteran quarterback led San Francisco's offense down the field in his second series and put them in field goal scoring position. A missed kick kept the 49ers scoreless in the third quarter. Mordecai got the nod in the final quarter, and the rookie undrafted free agent connected on four of his six passing attempts for 44 yards. In his first series, Mordecai moved the offense down the field on a long, 13-play, 62-yard drive that resulted in a 36-yard field goal.
Young Defensive Players Make Big Stops Early
San Francisco's young defensive players racked up a few highlight-worthy plays in the first half of Sunday's contest. Second-year safety Ji'Ayir Brown got things going in the second defensive series by bringing down Saints quarterback/tight end Taysom Hill in the backfield for a loss of yard on second-and-six. Rookie cornerback Renardo Green followed up Brown's play with a pass breakup on the Saints ensuing third-and-long passing attempt forcing them to punt for back-to-back drives. The next time the 49ers defense took the field, third-year linebacker Curtis Robinson recorded his own tackle-for-loss, taking down Saints running back Jamaal Williams.
San Francisco Wins the Turnover Battle
The 49ers only takeaway came in the first half thanks to the efforts of the defensive line. Midway through the second quarter, Alex Barrett tracked down New Orleans' Spencer Rattler for an eight-yard sack, stripped the ball and recovered the rock to set the 49ers offense up in favorable field position. Dobbs and the 49ers offense took over at the Saints 38 yard line and went on to score a 24-yard field goal on that drive.
Special Teams Highlights
San Francisco's punting coverage team had a quietly impressive night against the Saints, with punter Pressley Harvin III delivering four punts inside the 10 yard line and three of those punts downed by 49ers special teamers inside the 10 yard line - Tayler Hawkins, Chase Lucas and Mason Pline.
Moody made four of his five kicks on the night. Hitting field goals from 47, 24 and 36 yards out and sailing the extra point attempt through the uprights.
