New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) is under pressure from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (middle) and defensive tackle Jordan Elliott in first half action at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Aug 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) beat the New Orleans Saints (1-1) in their second pre-season game 16-10. Brock Purdy played three series but a larger number of starters did not take the field which included Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Nick Bosa. It is not known if they will be available to play in the final pre-season game due to numerous injuries that persist right now.

The new kickoff rule that has been put in place could have played a role but with all the injuries it is something that every team is dealing with so they had better get it straight.

New Orleans played their starters with Derek Carr at the helm and the 49ers dealt with a pretty good defense led by Cameron Jordan and Anfernee Orji. Wide receiver Chris Olave no doubt gave San Francisco a run for their money.

Game recap: There was no score at the end of the first quarter but the Saints had put together an impressive drive going into the second quarter. Carr and company had driven down inside the ten yard line for a first and goal.

Carr had completed seven of nine passes for 47 yards. New Orleans went for it on fourth down on the 1/2 yard line and scored the touchdown. Taysom Hill the Saints “swiss army” scored. The Saints can depend on this guy who can play any offensive position and he is a good one. They had finished off an extended drive that had started on their own five yard line for the early 7-0 lead.

San Francisco drove downfield in the second quarter coming up short and was forced to kick the field goal. Jake Moody took the field kicking a 47 Yd Field Goal giving the 49ers their first points of the day. San Francisco quarterback Joshua Dobbs was perfect going six of six for 48 yards putting San Francisco in field goal range. It was a nice drive for the 49ers.

Saints young quarterback Spencer Rattler got his chance under center coughing up the ball on the fourth snap and San Francisco gobbled it up taking possession. Rattler got sacked and couldn’t hang onto the ball and the 49ers were in business.

49ers quarterback Joshua Dobbs drove inside the ten yard line for a San Francisco first and goal and a chance to take the lead in this game. A couple of penalties later, the Niners were looking at a third and goal and were eventually forced to kick another field goal. Jake Moody kicked his second field goal of the game for 24 yards.

The Saints were unable to make much of an impact on their next possession. San Francisco took over on downs and had a near perfect two minute drive to end the half. Dobbs drove the team inside the ten yard line for a first and goal. On fourth and goal, Dobbs took the ball into the end zone himself giving San Francisco a 13-7 lead at the half.

Despite four incomplete passes from the Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler in the third quarter the Saints were able to get within field goal range. Kicker Blake Grupe made a 52 yard field goal and the Saints were within three points of San Francisco trailing 13-10.

The score remained 13-10 going into the fourth quarter. San Francisco held the Saints throughout the final quarter and tacked on their third field goal for the final score of 16-10. Jake Moody kicked a 36 yard field goal mid-way through the quarter. Moody had been perfect the entire game.

Game notes: Sunday evening the 49ers hosted the Saints at Levi Stadium. This was the 49ers second pre-season game after dropping their first to the Titans last Saturday 17-13. There had been some practices scheduled this week but they were unfortunately called off due to injuries.

Fans will be able to see a few Brock Purdy series and Fred Warner and the defensive starters who remain healthy may also be seen since they were warming up pre-game but there are a slew of starters that are banged up and did not play. As it turned out Fred Warner would not play along with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Nick Bosa to name a few. In all there were a dozen players who did not take the field.

The 49ers will take on the Las Vegas Raiders in their final pre-season game which will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas next Friday night with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.