Good factor Trey Lance threw a landing cross to Deebo Samuel of their final significant recreation collectively, that being the 2021 dwelling finale.
The previous month, Lance tried a each day deep shot to Samuel, nearly at all times with out success, and that performed out once more Thursday evening with a third-down incompletion.
That ended the 49ers’ opening collection of their preseason finale at Houston, a 17-0 loss. Good factor there’s nonetheless time to rediscover chemistry for not simply Lance and Samuel however the whole offense earlier than the Sept. 11 season opener.
As for connecting with Samuel — after he skipped offseason practices and camp’s first 4 video games — Lance is prepared to strive, strive once more, as he ought to. Possibly defensive cross interference calls will come, not like Thursday’s shot. This was Samuel’s preseason debut, because it was for Aiyuk and Kittle, who additionally have been 0-for-1 on Lance targets.
“I want it was cleaner, simply from a complete, however I’m not going to make an excessive amount of out of it,” coach Kyle Shanahan mentioned of Lance. “There weren’t too many alternatives and we acquired in some lengthy down-and-distances, which made it powerful.”
Lance was not protected nicely. Offensive tackles Colton McKivitz and Jaylon Moore struggled rather than Mike McGlinchey and Trent Williams, and the revamped inside yielded a sack to open the second possession. Lance labored three collection — another than his preseason opener towards Inexperienced Bay. He was 7-of-11 for 49 yards, with one sack and a 1-yard scramble.
A 12 months in the past, Lance broke his index finger within the preseason finale. This time, he appeared to emerge wholesome, which was precedence No. 1.
“Some ugly stuff on the market, for positive. It positively wasn’t our greatest evening,” Lance mentioned. “We’re not going to make too large of a deal from it. We’ll watch movie, be taught from it and get higher. These 17 days (of follow) might be tremendous necessary for us for Chicago.”
The 49ers open in Chicago on Sept. 11. They received there final Oct. 30 to assist flip round their season, with Jimmy Garoppolo speeding for 2 touchdowns. Talking of Garoppolo …
“We speak type of simply in passing. He’s not likely round for practices or conferences or something like that,” Lance mentioned. “Nate Sudfeld and Brock have been that for me. They’ve performed a fantastic job, these two guys I do know have my again.”
HEALTH NOTES
The most important casualty from the preseason and camp: security Jimmie Ward, whose hamstring harm seemingly will ship him to injured reserve and out the primary 4 video games. Shanahan mentioned he believes the 49ers have sufficient depth to compensate for Ward’s absence.
Linebackers Oren Burks (knee) and Curtis Robinson (ankle) had first-half accidents. Defensive deal with Akeem Spence was evaluated for a concussion. Stated Shanahan: “Preseason is necessary however I evaluate it to the driving vary: no matter occurs there doesn’t actually matter, however it's good to do it to get higher.”
RUNNING BACK RACE?
Trey Sermon’s first half (eight carries, 20 yards) additional dropped his inventory, particularly when he acquired stopped for a 3-yard loss on a fourth-and-2 carry. Thoughts you, the offensive line did little to assist. Sermon had a 12-yard acquire late within the first quarter, however in any other case lacked urgency within the backfield. Undrafted rookie Jordan Mason reeled off an 8-yard run upon changing Sermon late within the first half. Jeff Wilson Jr. (three carries, 16 yards) was stable beginning rather than Elijah Mitchell.
LOOSE LINE
With Williams stored out of uniform, the 49ers inserted Jaylon Moore in his place for the primary time, and he struggled, as did each different beginning offensive lineman. Moore returned to follow solely this previous week after a leg subject stored him out most of camp. The inside starters have been the identical as previous video games: left guard Aaron Banks, middle Jake Brendel and proper guard Spencer Burford, the latter of whom acquired known as for a holding penalty.
“We’ve been mixing younger guys in there and it’s been good for them to get reps,” Shanahan mentioned. “… We’ve acquired 17 days and aren’t deciding that (lineup) tonight. We now have much more follow to do.”
Lance defended them: “They’re doing a fantastic job. They did their job tonight. A few ones, I may have gotten the ball out quicker, for positive. They’re doing a fantastic job and stacking days.”
WOMACK MAKES AMENDS
Referred to as for cross interference ultimately zone on the 49ers’ first defensive collection, Womack did higher the following time he acquired focused there. Along with his again to the ball, Womack caught sufficient of a glimpse to deflect the potential landing cross and the ball tumbled into the arms of security Tarvarius Moore for an interception 5:20 earlier than halftime.
EXTRA POINTS
— Fullback Kyle Juszczyk made his preseason debut and caught Lance’s first cross for 15 yards.
— Defensive finish Samson Ebukam’s sack on the opening collection was an encouraging signal forward of $5.9 million wage
— Nate Sudfeld’s first collection in aid of Lance ended with an interception. Brock Purdy’s first collection in aid of Sudfeld: a close to interception. Sudfeld completed 5-of-10 for 49 yards. Purdy completed out the ballgame with a wayward scramble and was 13-of-20 for 182 yards and an interception.
— Additionally not suiting up have been defensive linemen Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw; linebackers Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Azeez Al-Shaair; and, cornerbacks Charvarius Ward, Ambry Thomas and Dontae Johnson.
— Willie Snead IV dropped a possible Purdy landing cross with 5 seconds remaining.