Recap, analysis from 49ers-Chargers, preseason Week 4

Final score: The 49ers took a 21-20 lead on a Jeremy McNichols touchdown run, but a strong kick return helped the Chargers set up the eventual game-winning field goal as time expired. The Chargers beat the 49ers by a final score of 23-21.

Scoring update, 3rd quarter: The 49ers managed their second touchdown of the game. Trailing 20-7, the 49ers defense forced a punt. Richie James picked up 23 yards on the return to set up the team in Chargers territory. Fourth string quarterback Jack Heneghan came on in place of Nick Mullens and his target of Victor Bolden Jr. drew a pass interference call near the end zone. Jeff Wilson punched the ball in on the next play to cut the Chargers lead to 20-14.

Scoring update, 2nd quarter: The 49ers trailed 6-0 after a pair of Chargers field goals. Nick Mullens came on however and led the team down the field before scrambling for a touchdown to give the 49ers a 7-6 lead late in the second quarter. He fake the handoff and dove in behind a great block from Ross Dwelley. Mullens was 5/8 for 56 yards and 19 rushing yards leading to this touchdown. Watch below

Starting lineups: The 49ers benched most of their starters. Here’s what the starting lineups looked like.

Offense: QB C.J. Beathard, RB Alfred Morris, FB Malcolm Johnson, WR Aldrick Robinson, WR Kendrick Bourne, TE Cole Wick, LT Darrell Williams, LG Jonathan Cooper, C Coleman Shelton, RG Joshua Garnett, RT Andrew Lauderdale

Defense: DE Jeremiah Attaochu, DT D.J. Jones, DT Sheldon Day, DE Ronald Blair, LB Pita Taumoepenu, LB Brock Coyle, LB Reuben Foster, CB Tarvarius Moore, CB Greg Mabin, FS D.J. Reed, SS Tyvis Powell

Inactives: The 49ers are not releasing an official inactives list for the final preseason game. However, plenty of starters are not in uniform as we approach kickoff in half an hour. According to Chris Biderman, players not in uniform include Jimmy Garoppolo, Kyle Juszczyk, Garrett Celek, Pierre Garçon, Marquise Goodwin, Joe Staley, Mike McGlinchey, Weston Richburg, Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, Jimmie Ward, K’Waun Williams, Adrian Colbert, Jaquiski Tartt, Fred Warner, Arik Armstead, Dante Pettis, Laken Tomlinson, Mike Person, DeForest Buckner, and Earl Mitchell.

It is interesting to note that Reuben Foster IS in uniform and looks like he might play. Foster suffered a concussion last Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts, but has cleared the concussion protocol. Also, Solomon Thomas is in uniform and will play.

Team captains: The 49ers team captains for their preseason finale are wide receiver Aldrick Robinson, linebacker Pita Taumoepenu, and linebacker Korey Toomer, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Robinson is competing with Kendrick Bourne, Aaron Burbridge, and Richie James for one or two roster spots. Taumoepenu is competing with Mark Nzeocha for the SAM linebacker role. Toomer is competing for a reserve inside linebacker and special teams role.

Here we go! We’ve reached the San Francisco 49ers final preseason game day of the year! After today, it’s nothing but regular season action (and one bye week) the rest of the year. Maybe the team gets some playoff game days in January, but at the very least, we get 16 weeks of games that count!

The 49ers are back home for their annual preseason California rivalry game. The 49ers host the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. PT, and will air locally on KPIX/CBS 5. Unfortunately it will not be broadcast nationally, and it will not get a re-air on NFL Network. Of course, it’s the fourth preseason game, and at least half the players we see tonight will likely not be on the 49ers roster 48 hours from now.

A vast majority of the starters will not be playing for either team. I suspect potential impact rookies get some playing time. The right guard competition is ongoing, but Mike Person is unlikely to play. Joshua Garnett will play in the game, and very well could be starting ten days later against Minnesota.

A few roster competitions aside, there’s not much to take from this game. I’m mostly curious to see which starters and key reserves end up actually playing in the game. Otherwise, I mostly just want to see this game played and finished so we can move on to the regular season. Players have plenty to play for, so much respect to them — but the fourth preseason game is pretty atrocious from a fan’s perspective.

Nuts and bolts

49ers depth chart

Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Game time: Thursday, August 30, 7:00 p.m. PT
TV channel: CBS/KPIX-5, (Do I get the game in NorCal or SoCal area?)
Online streaming: NFL Game Pass, DirecTV Now, Sling TV
NFL Network Replay: No replay
Radio: 680-AM, 107.7 (Bob Fitzgerald, Keena Turner, Dennis Brown) | Full listings
Spanish Radio: KTRB 860-AM (Jesus Zarate, Luis Landero)
Matchup history: 49ers lead preseason series 26-20
Announcers: Ted Robinson, Tim Ryan, Dennis O'Donnell (sideline)
Enemy blog: Bolts from the Blue
Twitter: @ninersnation
Instagram: @ninersnationsbn
Facebook: Go ahead and give us a like!

Preseason schedule

Week 1 (Aug 9): vs. Dallas Cowboys — 24-21 W
Week 2 (Aug 18): @ Houston Texans — 16-13 L
Week 3 (Aug 25): @ Indianapolis Colts — 23-17 L
Week 4 (Aug 30): vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 7 p.m. - KPIX (no national coverage)

Regular season schedule

Week 1: @ Minnesota Vikings, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, September 9
Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, September 16
Week 3: @ Kansas City Chiefs, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, September 23
Week 4: @ Los Angeles Chargers, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, September 30
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 7
Week 6: @ Green Bay Packers, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, Monday, October 15
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 5:20 p.m., NBC, Sunday, October 21
Week 8: @ Arizona Cardinals, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, October 28
Week 9: vs. Oakland Raiders, 5:20 p.m., NFL Network, Thursday, November 1
Week 10: vs. New York Giants, 5:15 p.m., ESPN, Monday, November 12
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10:00 a.m., FOX, Sunday, November 25
Week 13: @ Seattle Seahawks, 5:20 p.m., NBC, Sunday, December 2
Week 14: vs. Denver Broncos, 1:05 p.m., CBS, Sunday, December 9
Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 16
Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears, 1:05 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 23
Week 17: @ Los Angeles Rams, 1:25 p.m., FOX, Sunday, December 30