Category: San Francisco 49ers

Photo credit: @49ers

By Jeremy Harness

In preseason games, the starters are only in the game for less than a quarter, so there’s really not much to draw from or to analyze, since these games are mostly played by guys who won’t be on the field much when it counts or won’t even make the team anyway.

So this will be mostly be about less than a quarter of action from Saturday’s game, which was won by the Houston Texans by a 16-13 score over the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. This was the 49ers’ second glorified practice of season.

Jimmy Garoppolo was in for two drives, and he completed 10 of his 12 throws for 136 yards, a touchdown and was intercepted once. While he was in the game, the offense looked sharp and ready to go for the season to start, as Garoppolo was able to extend plays and find open receivers when the protection broke down.

The 49ers’ first drive culminated with Garoppolo finding Trent Taylor in the back of the end zone to give his team a 7-0 lead.

His second drive did not end so well, but they still moved the ball very well nonetheless. Once the 49ers again crossed into the Texans’ territory, Garoppolo was a little high in his pass over the middle to rookie Dante Pettis. As a result, the ball was tipped in the air, and the ball was scooped up by Johnson Bademosi.

So overall, not a bad showing by the 49ers’ starting offense at all. However, the defense still has some concerns attached to it. Just as Garoppolo carved up the Texans’ defense, Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson did the same to the 49ers’ defense.

Watson, who was missing his star wideout in DeAndre Hopkins on Saturday, still was able to gouge the 49ers’ starting unit, and he also ended his first drive with a touchdown. He went 5-for-8 for 73 yards and that score. That was his first–and only–drive of the game, and he then made way for Brandon Weeden.

Granted, the defense was without many of its key players, including cornerback Richard Sherman, defensive lineman Solomon Thomas and linebacker Malcolm Smith. But overall, it was just not a good look for a defense that was said to have improved over the past year.

As it stands right now, expect the 49ers to score some points, but also give up quite a bit of points at the same time.

The 49ers visit the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, August 25 at 1:30 pm PDT.

Photo credit: 49erswebzone.com

By Jeremy Harness

In the preseason, it is commonplace in the NFL for teams to hold joint practices in the days prior to linking up on the field for an actual game.

And oftentimes, those practices end up being more interesting that the game itself.

Wednesday’s proceedings were no exception to that, and the shenanigans started from the very first rep of practice. That’s when Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins caught a short pass from quarterback Deshaun Watson, with 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward defending.

Following the reception, Ward threw an open-handed jab at Hopkins, to which the wideout, who had his helmet knocked off even prior to the reception, responded with a shove of his own. Then Hopkins, in his infinite wisdom, decided it would be a great idea to throw a left hook at Ward, who still had his helmet on.

At that point, the only things he could have hurt were Ward’s feelings or his own hand, which a receiver sort of needs to make a living. In the process, Hopkins shamed both Houston coach Bill O’Brien and Floyd Mayweather.

Immediately following the feeble attempt of a knockout blow, Ward took the helmetless Hopkins to the turf and landed at least two more shots before the two were separated. As a result, Hopkins was sent to the locker rooms while Ward spent the rest of practice on the sideline.

As for the real game, the teams will meet in Houston on Saturday, and the 49ers are already hurting, particularly at the running back position. Matt Breida suffered a shoulder injury in last Thursday’s 24-21 win over the Dallas Cowboys, and Jerick McKinnon went down with an injury of his own during Monday’s practice.

In the meantime, the team signed former All-Pro Alfred Morris to its roster to add some depth, even if it is temporary. Tight end George Kittle and linebacker Eli Harold are also out with assorted injuries suffered in last Thursday’s game, but they are minor and are expected to miss only preseason games.

Solomon Thomas, the team’s young prized defensive lineman, suffered a head injury in the first quarter of Thursday’s game and has been ruled out for Saturday.