How 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy fared in 2024 NFL preseason finale against Raiders – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

LAS VEGAS — Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense showed more chemistry in San Francisco’s third preseason game on Friday, but it certainly wasn’t perfect.

Most of the first-team squad was on the field for a three-game series against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, and they provided some highlights and others they’d rather have back. Purdy had George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and J.P. Mason on hand after all three sat out the preseason win over the New Orleans Saints.

Purdy started the first drive with a 25-yard throw to Samuel, followed by a 15-yard completion to Kittle. The drive stalled after Mason was fouled for a five-yard loss, followed by two incomplete passes from Purdy — one to Mason and one to Kittle on a pass behind the tight end.

The 49ers’ second drive was reminiscent of the 2023 season when Purdy and Co. seemed unstoppable. The 12-play, 85-yard drive featured more offense with passing completions by quarterbacks Jake Tongis and Kittle as well as running by Mason and rookie linebacker Isaac Gerindo, who just returned to the practice field this week.

Purdy also showed his ability to evade defenders by running for 14 yards to keep his team’s lead intact. Mason closed out the series with a four-yard run, and when the sophomore quarterback returned to the sidelines, running backs coach Bobby Turner patted Mason on the back and called him a “job well done.”

Purdy’s third and final drive started well with a 15-yard pass to Chris Conley, followed by a five-yard completion to Samuel before a couple of runs from Mason brought Purdy down. The ill-advised pass from the third-year quarterback to Samuel was lifted into the air and intercepted by Raiders safety Chris Smith II, who returned it 31 yards.

Overall, the 49ers offense looked more consistent than it did last week, but there’s still a lot of work to do before their Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. Purdy finished the game completing 9-of-16 pass attempts for 96 yards and one interception for a 63.2 rating.

Missing from the lineup are linebacker Kyle Juszczyk (veteran’s break), linebacker Christian McCaffrey (leg), wide receivers Juwan Jennings (oblique) and Brandon Aiyuk, and left back Trent Williams, all of whom are key contributors on offense. Their return will help the team return to the well-oiled machine that fans have seen from the team in the past.

One positive development was the success of the rushing attack from the running backs, even with a few offensive linemen missing the game. The starting lineup Friday night was: Jaylon Moore at left back, Nick Zakelj at left guard, Jack Brindle at center, Dominic Bonney at right guard and Colton McKevitz at right back.

With a few more weeks of practice and a full complement of offensive players on the field, the 49ers have the potential to be as good as they have been in the past.

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