What we learned as the 49ers begin the preseason with a loss to the Titans originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Coach Kyle Shanahan decided there was no reason to play any of the 49ers’ A-listers in its 2024 NFL preseason opener.
While some of their recognizable players remained in the Bay Area, Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel made the trip.
But their biggest activity came before kickoff, when they signed autographs behind the 49ers bench for grateful fans.
Playing mostly reserves and individuals fighting for roster spots, the 49ers fought back in a 17-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night at Nissan Stadium.
Quarterback Brandon Allen was chosen as the starter. He didn’t appear in any games last season as the 49ers’ No. 3 quarterback behind Purdy and Sam Darnold.
Allen is competing with Josh Dobbs for the backup job this season after Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent.
Allen played the entire first half. He completed seven of 13 pass attempts for 98 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
Allen’s best play came on a third-and-9 play deep in 49ers territory. He hit newly signed receiver Frank Darby on a 33-yard pass up the middle.
Dobbs took over early in the second half.
Dobbs completed 14 of his 20 pass attempts for 146 yards and had a rushing touchdown that included a leap into the end zone. He also threw an interception on a Hail Mary pass while trying to lead San Francisco to a comeback victory with one second remaining in the game.
Here are three takeaways from the 49ers’ preseason opener against the Titans:
Mason making strong arguments
Running back Jordan Mason has did everything in his power to supplant Elijah Mitchell to become the team’s primary backup behind starter Christian McCaffrey.
Mason transferred his strong training camp to his light workload in the preseason opener.
Mason carried six times for 34 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown run to end the game’s first drive.
Mason is set to enter his third season in the NFL after originally making the team as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech. He opened both seasons as the 49ers’ third-string running back. In two years, he totaled 83 carries for 464 yards and four touchdowns.
Mitchell has been productive when he has played, but has missed 24 games over his first three seasons due to various injuries.
Mitchell is currently unavailable for the 49ers after suffering a hamstring injury in practice two weeks ago.
Ranking the offensive line
The 49ers outfitted two starters on their offensive line, with left guard Aaron Banks and right tackle Colton McKivitz playing one series each.
Rookie right guard Dominick Puni, a fourth-round draft pick out of Kansas, saw extended action with Spencer Burford and Jon Feliciano injured.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams remains sidelined of the team, and fines are accumulating over the duration of the contract.
Williams missed 13 practices. He is subject to mandatory fines of $50,000 per day. Additionally, as outlined in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, players are fined a regular season game check for each missed preseason game. For Williams, that means a $1.1 million fine.
Jaylon Moore played left tackle during the first two weeks of training camp. But Moore sat out Saturday’s game and veteran Chris Hubbard started. Hubbard is a 10-year veteran who started nine games for the Titans last season.
Early kick coverage struggles
It didn’t take long for the 49ers to run into problems dealing with the NFL’s new starting configuration.
After an opening touchdown, the 49ers gave up a 63-yard kickoff return that the Titans quickly turned into a touchdown of their own.
Under the new rule, neither the kicking team nor the nine players lined up between the 30- and 35-yard lines can move until the ball reaches the return man.
Tennessee returner Kearis Jackson started on the right side, where most of the 49ers’ blockers and defenders were stationed between the right hash and the numbers on the 30-yard line.
Jackson made a cut to his left, one step ahead of the chasing Jalen Graham. Jackson found a crease between Ambry Thomas and Brayden Willis, then passed Sam Womack. Graham finally ran over Jackson at the 49ers’ 30-yard line.
Special teams coordinator Brian Schneider and Shanahan inadvertently got in the way of the referee on the 49ers’ sideline and were called for unsportsmanlike conduct for adding another 15 yards at the end of the play.
The 49ers’ coverage unit’s next chance came on the opening kickoff to open the second half. Rookie safety Malik Mustapha collided with and stopped Jackson after a return of just 18 yards.
