We made it! The preseason comes to a close Thursday night as the San Francisco 49ers face off against the San Diego Chargers. The annual preseason matchup is down in San Diego this time, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. PT. It will air on the Bay Area’s CBS channel, and you can stream it using NFL.com’s Gamepass.
Normally the fourth preseason game is pretty useless. A lot of starters will not play, so you’re left focusing on the reserves and players battling for either a roster spot, or even just a practice squad spot. However, this year’s preseason finale brings with it some actual drama. Last Friday, Colin Kaepernick sat for the National Anthem for the third consecutive game, but it was the first time anybody noticed and reported on it. And now, the 49ers head to San Diego, which has a major military population, and will hold their annual Salute to the Military event. Although Kaepernick’s protest has nothing to do with the military, it will likely be a major point of contention with the San Diego fans.
Blaine Gabbert is getting the night off, and considering he is likely to be the team’s Week 1 starting quarterback, this is no surprise. It does mean Colin Kaepernick will see plenty of work, and he is probably going to get the starting nod. I imagine when he is on the field, the boos will be loud. It only adds to what is a big game for him. Last Friday was his first game action since last season, and he was rusty. There are questions about his roster spot, and another poor performance would make for an interesting decision on cut-down day. I would think normally the team would keep him on the roster and give him time to get fully back in tune after his shoulder surgery, and the missed time with arm fatigue. Of course, this is not a normal time. He could be cut, he might stick around for a while. I really don’t know what will happen and won’t even pretend I know anything for certain.
Who knew a preseason finale would bring such intrigue?!
We’ll be back with game threads later today, and plenty of follow-up after the game. In the meantime, here are some nuts and bolts to get you ready.
Nuts and bolts
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego CA
Game time: Thursday, September 1, 7 p.m. PT
TV channel: CBS/KPIX-5 (Do I get the game?)
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass
NFL Network Replay: None
Radio: 810-AM, 107.7 (Bob Fitzgerald, Keena Turner, Dennis Brown) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero)
Matchup history: Preseason: 24-20 49ers
Announcers: Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan, Dennis O'Donnell (sideline)
Enemy blog: Bolts from the Blue
Twitter: @ninersnation
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!
49ers preseason schedule
Week 1: vs. Houston Texans, Lost 24-13
Week 2: @ Denver Broncos, Won 31-24
Week 3: vs. Green Bay Packers, Lost 21-10
Week 4: @ San Diego Chargers, 7 p.m., Thursday, September 1
49ers regular season schedule
Week 1: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 7:20 p.m., ESPN, Monday, September 12
Week 2: @ Carolina Panthers, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, September 18
Week 3: @ Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, September 25
Week 4: vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 2
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 5:25 p.m., CBS Thursday, October 6
Week 6: @ Buffalo Bills, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, October 16
Week 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 23
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 6
Week 10: @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, November 13
Week 11: vs. New England Patriots, 1:25 p.m., CBS Sunday, November 20
Week 12: @ Miami Dolphins, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 27
Week 13: @ Chicago Bears, 10:00 a.m., FOX Sunday, December 4
Week 14: vs. New York Jets, 1:05 p.m., CBS Sunday, December 11
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 18
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX Saturday, December 24
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, January 1