The San Francisco 49ers struggled mightily in their 3rd preseason game against the Packers. The offense really couldn't get much going, with only two of their drives out of eleven leading to scores. We still, however, have a few winners from the game.

Winners:

Mike Davis: The running back wins the most improved award following up last weeks performance where he recorded two fumbles. The second year running back carried the ball 4 times for 14 yards and went 2/3 for 20 yards in the passing game and no fumbles.

Tank Carradine: The converted lineman was disruptive in the passing game. He recorded one sack, one tackle for a loss and two hits on the QB.

Chip Kelly on Tank Carradine:

Yeah, I think Tank has really taken to it. Playing on his feet, setting edges. He’s a physical force when it comes to rushing the quarterback. I think he had a sack tonight, if I remember. I think he’s an outside linebacker in what we do defensively. He’s not a down guy. He’s not a hand in the ground guy. He is an outside linebacker and we’ve been encouraged with him and that’s why part of our decision with Ahmad was to see if we could get Tank some more snaps, specifically against the ones and we knew with Aaron and that group, that we were going to play against a pretty good offense and let’s see how Tank can do against them. We’ve been really pleased with that transition. He played some defensive end before and was an interior pass rusher, but having him on his feet and playing outside linebacker, I think he’s taken to it.

Ray Ray Armstrong: The linebacker had four tackles, four combined, one tackle for a loss and one pass defended. He continues to make a case for himself to be the starter next to NaVorro Bowman.

Losers:

The WR group: With still no emerging stand out and a slew of injuries, the group as a whole has under performed. Torrey Smith has yet to catch a pass in the preseason and the other 11 receivers went 9/20 for 82 yards.

The QB group: The QB group is obviously closely connected to the WR group. They also went 9/20 for 82 yards and an INT. Ultimately the two groups didn’t help themselves with dropped passes and inaccurate passes.

Chip Kelly even noted in his press conference:

We weren’t very consistent except for that one drive. I think that was kind of the story of the game. We flashed but we didn’t. We weren’t consistent enough in any range, whether it was running the football, converting, protecting, catching it. We had a couple drives there, I think, where some drops contributed to what we did. So, just disappointed in the offense as a whole.

The team: The injuries came fast and furious in week three. Quinton Dial (knee), Bruce Ellington (hamstring), Eric Reid (thumb), Carlos Hyde (concussion), and Mike Purcell all left the game at some point. Reid was cleared to return, wearing a thumb sling and Purcell seemed fine after the game walking around without a noticeable limp or ailment. Hyde was placed in the concussion protocol after reporting the he didn’t feel well after a hit in the first quarter.

The 49ers will have tomorrow off before another short week, playing the Chargers in San Diego on Thursday night.