49ers vs. Chiefs: Preseason Live Blog
SANTA CLARA -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. I will update this frequently with information and analysis.
3:10 The following 49ers will not play in tonight's game: Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Jalen Hurd, Trent Williams, Alex Mack, Kyle Juszczyk, Raheem Mostert and Mohamed Sanu.
3:15 I'm most eager to see how the 49ers use rookie quarterback Trey Lance. Will they throw him out there with the second-team offense against the Chiefs starting defense? If so, does that mean Shanahan wants Lance to struggle and look not ready? Or will the 49ers give Lance a few starters to play with to even the playing field?
WIll Kyle Shanahan let Trey Lance run the ball, roll out of the pocket and throw down the field. Will Shanahan let Lance do the things that dazzled everyone during camp? Or will Shanahan call a modest game that doesn't feature Lance's greatest assets -- his speed and arm strength?
However Shanahan uses Lance, it's imperative that the rookie plays as much as possible. Because he played only one game last season. So for him to have a legitimate chance to start Week 1 or early in the season, he needs as much playing time this season as possible. They should play him into the third quarter. It couldn't hurt.
3:16 I also am eager to watch the strong safety position. Who is the best healthy strong safety on the team -- Tavon Wilson, Talanoa Hufanga or Ha Ha Clinton-Dix? Do any of them seem starting-caliber?
4:16 The following 49ers also will not play tonight: Azeez Al-Shaair, Arik Armstead, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Samson Ebukam, D.J. Jones, Javon Kinlaw, George Kittle, Elijah Mitchell, Emmanuel Moseley, MyCole Pruitt, Jason Verrett, Jimmie Ward, Fred Warner and K'Waun Williams.
4:18 The following Chiefs are out: wide receiver Antonio Callaway, defensive end Taco Charlton, guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, linebacker Willie Gay, offensive lineman Kyle Long and offensive lineman Mike Remmers.
5:34 The 49ers will receive the kickoff to start the game.
5:35 Richie James Jr. returns the kick to the 20.
5:40 On 3rd and 5 from the Chiefs 49, Jimmy Garoppolo completes a short pass to Brandon Aiyuk, who was running a crossing route, but Charlie Woerner committed pass interference. So on 3rd and 15, Garoppolo checks down to Sermon for 11 yards, the 49ers punt and the Chiefs take over at their 20.
5:46 The only starters playing for the 49ers defense are Dre Greenlaw and Tavon Wilson. The Chiefs are playing all their starters. And yet on third and 4 from the Chiefs 36, Patrick Mahomes throws an incomplete pass to Mecole Hardman, and the Chiefs punt.
5:47 Trey Lance is in with the first-team offensive line.
5:51 On 3rd and 8, Trey Lance gets sacked by Chris Jones, who threw Daniel Brunskill on his back. The 49ers go three and out. On first down, Lance scrambled to his right and threw a strike to Brandon Aiyuk, who dropped the ball.
5:59 On 1st and goal from the 5, Chad Henne completes a touchdown pass to Byron Pringle, who beat B.W. Webb with a quick out route from the slot.
Chiefs 7, 49ers 0.
6:04 First play of the drive, Trey Lance rolls left and launches back to the right an 80-yard touchdown pass to Trent Sherfield. There's your Week 1 starter, folks.
6:05 Robbie Gould misses the extra point.
Chiefs 7, 49ers 6.
6:08 On 1st and 10, Deommodore Lenoir intercepts a pass that bounces off the shoulder of the intended receiver. The 49ers take over at the Chiefs 45.
SECOND QUARTER
6:15 On 2nd and 6 from the Chiefs 15, left tackle Shon Coleman and left guard Colton McKivitz gave up a sack for a loss of 7. On 3rd and 15, Lance takes a big hit as he throws a 4-yard checkdown to Wayne Gallman. This second-team offensive line is horrendous.
6:17 Gould makes a 36-yard field goal.
49ers 9, Chiefs 7.
6:23 On 3rd and 4 from the Chiefs 33, linebacker Jonas Griffith almost intercepts a short pass over the middle. The 49ers gave the ball at their 1-yard line after the punt.
6:28 First play of the drive, Lance completes a 34-yard pass to tight end Charlie Woerner. Two plays later, Lance scrambles to his left and throws a strike to River Cracraft, who drops the ball. Next play, 3rd and 8, Lance throws a 6-yard pass to Cracraft, who ran a quick out. The 49ers punt. Lance is 4 of 6 for 125 yards and 1 touchdown, and both of his incomplete passes were dropped. His QB rating is 149.3.
6:36 On 3rd and 7 from the Chiefs 37, Ambry Thomas gets beaten by Byron Pringle running a slant, and Talanao Hufanga makes the tackle two yards in front of the marker. Good tackle. The Chiefs punt.
6:39 On 3rd and 8, Trey Lance throws a strike to Richie James Jr. running an out route, but James drops the ball. All three of Lance's incomplete passes have been dropped.
6:47 On 3rd and 21, Aaron Gordon completes a pass to Jerick McKinnon, who gets tackled by Talanoa Hufanga. The 49ers take over at their 12 with 1:42 left after the punt.
6:48 On 3rd and 10, Jaylon Moore gives up a sack. Lance's passes on first down and second down both were high. That was his first shaky series, and it came during a two-minute drill. He never ran one of those in college.
6:54 The Chiefs miss a field goal with 37 seconds left. The 49ers take over at the Kansas City 48.
6:57 On 3rd and 15, Lance forces a pass over the middle to Jauan Jennings and almost gets intercepted by Rashad Fenton. Lance has thrown two near picks. Fortunately for him, he throws the ball so hard, defensive players have a tough time catching his passes. He played extremely well until the 2-minute drill, when he had to drop back and throw repeatedly behind a Swiss cheese offensive line.
THIRD QUARTER
7:20 On 3rd and 9 from the 49ers 34, Aaron Brooks rolls left and nearly gets intercepted by Ken Webster. The Chiefs kick a field goal and take the lead.
Chiefs 10, 49ers 9.
7:20 Trey Lance is going back on the field, presumably to play one more series.
7:25 On 3rd and 5 from the 49ers 15, Travis Benjamin runs a slant route and drops a pass from Lance. The 49ers go three and out. The 49ers haven't featured Lance's legs in any way so far. No rollouts or designed runs.
7:30 The Chiefs go three and out and punt. The 49ers take over at their 12. Josh Rosen is the new quarterback.
7:39 Rookie guard Aaron Banks has a shoulder injury and is questionable to return.
7:43 On 3rd and 8 from the Chiefs 19, Rosen throws too far in front of Travis Benjamin, who's running a dig route, and gets intercepted. Poor Josh.
FOURTH QUARTER
7:48 On 3rd and 8 from the Chiefs 16, Alex Barrett sacks Shane Buechele. The Chiefs punt. Niners take over at their 35.
7:55 On 2nd and 8 from the Chiefs 43, JaMycal Hasty fumbles and the Chiefs recover.
7:59 On 3rd and 15, Jordan Willis and Darrion Daniels sack Buechele, and the Chiefs punt. Still Rosen time.
8:04 On 3rd and 8 from the 12, Rosen gets spun around before he throws a 6-yard completion to Joshua Perkins, and the 49ers go three and out.
8:10 The Chiefs kick a field goal.
Chiefs, 13, 49ers 10.
8:21 JaMycal Hasty scores a touchdown from four yards out. He has 11 carries, 63 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 fumble. He may have fumblitis, but that is fixable. Jeff Wilson Jr. used to have, but now he doesn't. I like Hasty. He's explosive.
8:33 On 3rd and goal from the 1, Buechele keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown. The Chiefs lead 19-16 after missing the extra point. The 49ers have 1:14 left to tie the game or win it. So much is on the line right now.
