The 49ers’ preseason finale against the Raiders turned into exactly what these August games are supposed to be: a long, grinding tryout. With most of San Francisco’s front-line starters sitting out ahead of the Week 1 trip to Australia, Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium became a live audition for depth pieces, rotational jobs and one very real roster decision.
That decision sits at quarterback, where Adrian Martinez kept making the kind of case teams remember when cut-down day arrives.
Brock Purdy and Mac Jones are set as the top two quarterbacks, but Martinez has forced the issue with his play all month. He followed up a three-touchdown showing against the Chargers by looking composed and elusive against Las Vegas, and he was right in the middle of a night that featured plenty of field goals, very few easy yards and no shortage of pressure.
The game opened with the Raiders striking first. Veteran Kirk Cousins led the opening drive, and Matt Gay finished it with a 53-yard field goal to put Las Vegas ahead 6-0. San Francisco’s offense went nowhere on its first possession, going three-and-out, but the 49ers’ defense flipped the tone late in the first quarter when linebacker Tatum Bethune jumped a Fernando Mendoza throw for an interception.
Martinez came on at the end of the first quarter and immediately helped San Francisco move. He handed off to Kaelon Black, who burst ahead for 14 yards, but the drive bogged down in the red zone and ended with three points instead of seven.
From there, the 49ers’ pass rush started taking over. Keion White blew past the Raiders’ line for a huge sack that killed a drive, and Ogbo Okoronkwo added another interior sack on a separate Las Vegas possession.
That pressure helped San Francisco stay within striking distance, and Jordan James provided a spark on offense with a 20-yard run. Eddy Piñeiro tied the game at 6-6 with a 25-yard field goal with 1:38 left in the second quarter, though the Raiders answered just before halftime with a 45-yard kick to go up 9-6.
The third quarter brought more frustration than fireworks. San Francisco drove all the way to the end zone, only to have a touchdown wiped away by a penalty. The 49ers couldn’t cash in after the replay, so Piñeiro handled the cleanup again, drilling a 48-yard field goal to tie things back up.
It stayed that way until the fourth quarter, when Piñeiro turned the night into his own showcase. He hit from 58 yards at the 9:04 mark to put the 49ers ahead 12-9, then watched the Raiders answer with a 51-yarder to make it 12-12. Martinez then led another late march to set Piñeiro up for a 1:51 kick that gave San Francisco a 15-12 lead, and after the defense forced a turnover on downs, Piñeiro capped a perfect 6-for-6 night by drilling another field goal from beyond 50 yards with eight seconds left.
Even without a touchdown to show for it, the night gave San Francisco a clear read on two young skill players who helped themselves. Jordan James stood out in the backfield, and Jordan Watkins made his presence felt on the perimeter. Both consistently generated positive yardage and strengthened their case for a regular-season role.
The bigger question, though, is whether Martinez has done enough to make the 49ers think seriously about carrying three quarterbacks. After Thursday night, that debate feels very much alive.
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 🡒]