49ers @ Texans Preseason Live Blog

Welcome to the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers' preseason finale against the Houston Texans. I will update this frequently with information and analysis from my living room.

4:00 Kyle Shanahan said the starters will play no longer than the entire first half, which means most of them, including Trey Lance, should play the entire first half. As they should. These players need as many reps as possible to get ready for the regular season, especially considering the starters didn't play in the previous preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.

The third preseason game used to be considered the dress rehearsal, because starters would play into the third quarter, and the team would prepare for the game during the week as if it were a regular seasaon game. Meaning the coaches would game plan. I don't believe the 49ers coaches game planned for this one, because if they did, in practice the starting offense would have faced the scout team defense, and the starting defense would have faced the scout team offense -- that's how it works during the season. But this past week, the starters on offense and defense faced each other, just like during training camp. So don't expect the 49ers offense to look great or reveal all the new wrinkles they will spring on the Chicago Bears when the season starts. Expect the offense to look vanilla. Still, we can evaluate players individually, and decide who's most fit to start at running back, left guard, center, right tackle, etc. Plus, we can evaluate Lance's throwing mechanics, which are a hot topic.

4:40 The following 49ers are inactive:

Jimmy Garoppolo, Elijah Mitchell, Daniel Brunskill, Mike McGlinchey, Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, Azeez Al-Shaair, Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Emmanuel Moseley, Ambry Thomas, Charvarius Ward, Jimmie Ward and Dontae Johnson.

4:44 John Lynch just announced that the 49ers will place Jimmie Ward on the Injured Reserve List and he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Tough blow.

The 49ers get the ball first.

FIRST QUARTER

5:21 On 3rd and 2, Trey Lance throws deep to Deebo Samuel, who can't outrun Steven Nelson, and the 49ers punt.

5:33 On 1st and goal from the 6, Samuel Womack commits a pass interference in the end zone. The Texans score one play later. Womack is extremely handy in coverage.

49ers 0, Texans 7.

5:42 On 3rd and 2, Trey Lance is flushed out of the pocket, so he checks down to Jeff Wilson Jr., who gets tackled after a gain of 2. Kyle Shanahan doesn't go for it on 4th and 1. The pass protection is horrible so far.

5:46 on 3rd and 3, Tariq Castro-Fields breaks up a slant. Excellent coverage. He's better than Ambry Thomas.

SECOND QUARTER

6:02 On 4th and 2 from the Texans 36, Aaron Banks get beaten immediately and Trey Sermon loses three yards. Time to replace Banks with Jason Poe.

6:06 On 3rd and 11 from the Texans 37, Davis Mills throws a screen pass to Rex Burkhead who gains just three yards, and the Texans go three and out.

6:13 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers 28, Nate Sudfeld gets intercepted underneath by Desmond King.

6:15 On 3rd and 7 from the 49ers 16, Samuel Womack tips a pass in the end zone to Tarvarius Moore who intercepts the pass.

6:21 On 2nd and 2, Spencer Burford commits his second holding penalty of the night, and the 49ers punt a few plays later.

6:28 On 3rd and 3, the 49ers stop Rex Burkhead after two yards, and the Texans punt.

6:34 The first half ends and the 49ers have zero points. My main takeaway is the pass protection is terrible and Deebo Samuel isn't as fast as he was last season. He couldn't seperate deep on that 3rd and 2 play.

THIRD QUARTER

6:56 On 3rd and goal from the 16, Tashaun Gipson gives up a touchdown catch right in front of him. Forget him making the team.

49ers 0, Texans 14.

7:04 On 3rd and 12, Ross Dwelley makes a 30-yard catch up the seam while taking a vicious shot. Amazing catch. A few plays later, Malik Turner drops a pass on 3rd and 7, and the 49ers punt.

7:13 On 2nd and 11, Charles Omenihu sacks Kyle Allen. Two plays later, the Texans make a field goal.

49ers 0, Texans 17.

7:20 On 4th and 1, Nate Sudfeld sneaks for zero yards, and the 49ers turn it over on downs.

FOURTH QUARTER

7:27 The Texans miss the field goal.

7:33 On 3rd and 15, Justin Skule commits a holding penalty that's declined, and the 49ers punt.

7:47 Brock Purdy throws a pass over the middle and gets intercepted by the middle linebacker.