Mac Jones got the San Francisco 49ers through the opening two drives against the Las Vegas Raiders, but the night ultimately belonged to Eddy Pineiro.
Jones never completed a pass on his first series, and the sequence started with a miscue between him and rookie running back Kaelon Black on second down. On option routes, Black is still learning how to process coverages quickly, and that showed there.
Jones tried to challenge the defense deep to Jordan Watkins on third down, but Watkins couldn’t get the ball in time. Watkins also went into protection mode on his first kickoff return, something the coaching staff clearly won’t love.
While the offense searched for rhythm, Jack Jones made his presence felt on defense right away with a strong open-field tackle and a near pick after breaking on a slant. His willingness to gamble gives him plenty of appeal.
On that same drive, rookie Jaden Dugger had a rough moment when he whiffed on a tackle in space. Dugger finished with 10 tackles, five of them solo, and nearly got to the quarterback, but the missed tackle will stick out.
The next defensive series was messy. CJ West, Ashtyn Davis, and Eli Apple all missed tackles, with Apple doing it multiple times. Darrell Luter Jr. did well to slip a block and finish a tackle on a screen, and Siran Neal ended the drive by breaking up a pass.
Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock left during that drive with a shoulder injury.
Black got some help from his blockers on a 14-yard run on the following possession. That came after his decisiveness on a 3rd & 1 last week stood out, but Jordan James didn’t follow that same script in his first action.
On a 3rd & 1, James tried to cut back instead of staying on course and getting the first down. It was the kind of rep that should teach him something.
James did flash later, though. He ripped off a 17-yard run and added a 20-yard catch on a screen.
He may not be the most explosive back on the field, but he runs like the kind of player who can absorb contact, fall forward, and squeeze out extra yards. That’s exactly the profile you want behind your starter, and he’ll keep learning how to get better in tight spaces.
Tatum Bethune also came away with an interception of No. 1 overall pick Fernandzo Mendoza.
Up front, Carver Willis stayed on the field into the second quarter as the 49ers kept sorting out their rookie left guard situation.
One of the more interesting young players on the night was undrafted tight end Khalil Dinkins. Listed at 6’4”, 226 pounds, he may be closer to 15 pounds under that, but he brought a real edge as a blocker in limited snaps. That kind of effort could make him worth stashing on the practice squad.
Then Pineiro took over. With two minutes left and the game tied at 12-12, he drilled a 51-yard field goal to put San Francisco ahead 15-12.
It was his fifth make in as many tries, and he had already connected from 59 yards earlier. He finished things off with a 54-yarder in the final 10 seconds, closing out a flawless 6-for-6 night.
He looked every bit in regular-season form.
In Other News...
49ers May Have Just Caught A Break In Week 1 Prep
The Rams are heading into Week 1 with more than one question hanging over their receiving group, and the 49ers have taken notice. Puka Nacua is dealing with a groin injury, and there is also the possibility of a suspension tied to a civil lawsuit, leaving Los Angeles to sort through its options as it gets ready for San Francisco. The Rams added some depth by trading for Tutu Atwell, who had previously signed with the Dolphins, but Nacua remains the central concern in the buildup.
From the 49ers side, the safest approach is to prepare as if Nacua will be on the field, even if his status is still unsettled. That kind of uncertainty can change how a defense studies tendencies and plans matchups, especially in a season opener where every detail matters. For now, San Francisco can only wait and watch how much of the Rams passing picture comes into focus before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Be Waiting On A Serious Jed York Decision
The NFLs review of Jed Yorks arrest has now become part of the 49ers backdrop, with Commissioner Roger Goodell confirming the league is looking at the matter under its personal conduct policy. York was arrested in Ohio after an undercover operation tied to prostitution charges, and the case ended with a no contest plea to disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, followed by a one-day jail sentence, a fine and completion of an online course.
What comes next is the part the franchise is waiting on. The league has not yet announced whether York will face any discipline, leaving the 49ers with a situation that could linger beyond the courtroom and into the business of the season. Even for an organization that has spent plenty of time in the spotlight, this is the kind of off-field development that can keep drawing attention until the NFL makes its decision. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Roster Bubble Suddenly Feels Tighter Than Fans Realized
The back end of the 49ers roster has gotten a little more interesting as the preseason winds down, with a cluster of lesser-known names suddenly worth tracking. Defensive linemen CJ West, James Thompson Jr. and Bryson Eason have all surfaced as players trying to carve out a place, while Dugger is part of the same conversation as the team sorts through depth and recent injury status at multiple spots. For a club that routinely asks young, unproven players to fill real roles, these August evaluations can matter as much as anything else on the calendar.
San Francisco also brought in pass rusher Jah Joyner for a workout ahead of the preseason finale, another sign the staff is still looking for answers before trimming the roster. And while thats about the immediate picture, theres already a faint eye toward the future, with one mock draft projection tying the 49ers to Stanford offensive tackle Niki Prongos. Its the kind of overlap the 49ers always seem to have at this time of year: present-day auditions on one side, future planning quietly taking shape on the other. [Read more 🡒]