INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers showcased their depth and talent with a commanding 41-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in a preseason matchup at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night.
Why it matters: The 49ers' performance highlighted their strong roster depth, particularly among reserves, as they gear up for the upcoming NFL season.
Jacob Cowing electrified the crowd with an 83-yard punt return touchdown, giving the 49ers a 17-3 lead late in the second quarter.
Quarterback Brock Purdy made his preseason debut, completing 4 of 6 passes for 29 yards before handing off duties to backup quarterbacks Mac Jones and Adrian Martinez.
The 49ers' defense stifled the Chargers, limiting their first team to minimal offensive production during the opening series.
Driving the news: Cowing's standout play came after Chargers punter JK Scott booted a 52-yard punt to the 49ers' 17-yard line. Cowing caught the ball, darted left, and sprinted for the score, marking a major comeback from a hamstring injury that sidelined him last season.
Cowing expressed gratitude for his teammates’ blocking efforts, stating, "It was a special moment... If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have been in the house.”
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Cowing's talent and resilience, noting, “He’s always shown us his talent since he’s been here.”
The win improved the 49ers' preseason record to 1-1, setting a positive tone ahead of their final exhibition game against the Las Vegas Raiders next week.
State of play: The 49ers scored consistently throughout the game, with kicker Eddy Pineiro converting field goals of 48 and 45 yards in the second quarter.
Running back Sincere McCormick added a 7-yard touchdown following a 37-yard run, solidifying his case for a roster spot.
Khalil Herbert, who re-signed with the team earlier that day, contributed a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
Los Angeles struggled offensively, managing only eight first downs and committing seven penalties during the game.
The big picture: The 49ers' reserves played a key role in the victory, demonstrating their capability to step up when needed.
Mac Jones took over quarterback duties after Purdy, completing 6 of 13 passes for 89 yards.
Rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling continued to impress, catching four passes for 46 yards, including three third-down conversions.
The Chargers' offense was limited in its effectiveness, with quarterback Justin Herbert playing only one series and completing 1 of 2 passes.
What they're saying: Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the team's shortcomings after the loss, saying, "We got outplayed and we beat ourselves in all three phases.”
Harbaugh emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “We have a lot of things to work on.”
Meanwhile, Cowing remained positive, expressing relief in returning to the field after a difficult year, saying, “I’m happy that I was able to come out of the game healthy and put my name out there again.”
By the numbers: The game featured several notable statistics that highlighted the 49ers' dominance.
The 49ers finished with 23 first downs compared to the Chargers’ eight.
San Francisco's defense forced multiple turnovers, including an interception returned for a touchdown by Junior Colson after a pass from Adrian Martinez.
The Chargers ended the game with eight punts, illustrating their struggles to maintain offensive momentum.
What's next: The 49ers will face the Las Vegas Raiders in their final preseason game next Thursday, September 7, as they finalize their roster ahead of the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Chargers will host the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, looking to bounce back from this defeat.
The 49ers are set to open the regular season against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10.