Football is just about back for the San Francisco 49ers! The team kicks off their 2015 preseason schedule on Saturday, so it is time for our first nuts and bolts post of the new season. The 49ers travel to Houston to face the Houston Texans Saturday evening, with game time set for 5 p.m. PT.
This game marks the fourth preseason matchup between the two franchises, all in the last five years. The 49ers beat Houston 40-13 in the preseason finale a year ago. Prior to that, the Texans beat the 49ers 20-9 in 2012 and 30-7 in 2011. Most of the 49ers starters did not play in last year's game, and that led to what will probably go down as the greatest offensive performance of Kyle Nelson's career. The long snapper also plays some tight end, and managed to catch two touchdowns in the preseason finale. I don't believe he ever saw the field on offense during the regular season.
This game marks Jim Tomsula's first preseason game as head coach, and second overall game as head coach following his work in the 49ers 2010 regular season finale. Tomsula announced on Thursday that ten players will not travel with the team. This group includes WR Dres Anderson, LB Nick Bellore, WR Bruce Ellington, RB Kendall Hunter, C Daniel Kilgore, OLB Aaron Lynch, WR DeAndre Smelter, DB Jimmie Ward, ILB Philip Wheeler, and ILB Michael Wilhoite. Tomsula also said Reggie Bush will not play, and NaVorro Bowman might not play.
Nuts and bolts
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Game time: Saturday, August 15, 5 p.m. PT
TV channel: CBS / KPIX-5 (Do I get the game?)
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
NFL Network Replay: 8/15 9 p.m. PT, 8/16 Midnight, 8/18 9 p.m., 8/20 2:30 a.m.
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Bob Fitzgerald, Keena Turner) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero)
Matchup history: Preseason: 2-1 Texans; Regular season: 2-1 49ers
Announcers: Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan, Dennis O'Donnell (sideline)
Enemy blog: Battle Red Blog
Twitter: @ninersnation
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49ers preseason schedule
Week 1: @ Houston Texans - August 15, 5 p.m. PT
Week 2: vs. Dallas Cowboys - August 23, 5 p.m. PT
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos - August 29, 6 p.m. PT
Week 4: vs. San Diego Chargers - September 3, 7 p.m. PT
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings - Monday, September 14, 7:20 p.m. ESPN (MNF)
Week 2: @ Pittsburgh Steelers - Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 3: @ Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, September 27, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers - Sunday, October 4, 1:25 p.m. FOX
Week 5: @ New York Giants - Sunday, October 11, 5:30 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens - Sunday, October 18, 1:25 p.m. CBS
Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks - Thursday, October 22, 5:25 p.m. NFLN (TNF)
Week 8: @ St. Louis Rams - Sunday, November 1, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons - Sunday, November 8, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: @ Seattle Seahawks - Sunday, November 22, 1:25 p.m. FOX
Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals - Sunday, November 29, 1:05 p.m. FOX
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears - Sunday, December December 6, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 14: @ Cleveland Browns - Sunday, December 13, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 15: vs. Cincinnati Bengals - Sunday, December 20, 5:30 p.m. NBC (SNF)
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions - Sunday, December 27, 10:00 a.m. FOX
Week 17: vs. St. Louis Rams - Sunday, January 3, 1:25 p.m. FOX