49ers Preseason Player Grades
49ers Suffer 19-13 Preseason Loss to Titans, Rourke and Pineiro Impress
The San Francisco 49ers dropped a 19-13 preseason decision to the Tennessee Titans, but the final score told only part of the story. Backup quarterback Kurtis Rourke outplayed Titans starter Cam Ward before leaving with a rib injury, giving fans something to watch in an otherwise forgettable loss, according to Sacramento Bee.
Rourke completed 12 of 14 pass attempts for 101 yards and posted a passer rating of 96.7 before exiting. His replacement struggled, and the 49ers never recovered, per SI.
Rourke Shines Bright Before Rib Injury Ends His Night
Kurtis Rourke was the clear standout on offense. He completed 85.7% of his passes and looked sharp and in control throughout his time on the field. His 96.7 passer rating was the best of any quarterback in the game, according to Fresno Bee. The rib injury that cut his night short was the biggest concern to come out of the contest.
Cam Ward, Tennessee's starter, was outplayed by Rourke for most of the first half. Once Rourke left the game, the Titans were able to pull away and hold on for the six-point win. The injury will be worth monitoring as the preseason rolls on, per Macon.
Stribling Catches Everything, McCormick Grinds on the Ground
Wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was the best pass-catcher in the game. He caught 7 of 8 targets for 63 yards, showing sure hands and sharp route running. His performance made a strong case for a roster spot, according to Miami Herald.
Running back Sincere McCormick was the top ball carrier for San Francisco. He averaged 3.8 yards per carry, which was modest but enough to keep drives moving. The run game did not break open, but McCormick showed he could be a reliable backup option, per Star-Telegram.
Left Guard Battle and Linebacker Depth Raise Questions
The 49ers had issues at left guard, and Robert Jones is currently the favorite to win that starting job. Jones was tested throughout the game, and the position remains a concern heading into the regular season. The offensive line will need to improve there, according to The News Tribune.
At linebacker, Tatum Bethune stood out as an excellent backup option at middle linebacker. Nick Martin played a lot of snaps at outside linebacker, but his performance raised doubts about whether he can hold that role. Gracen Halton was the star of the defensive line group, per Sun Herald.
Pineiro Drills 52-Yard Field Goal to Boost His Case
Kicker Eddie Pineiro delivered the most clean highlight of the night. He drilled a 52-yard field goal, showing the kind of leg strength the 49ers need from their specialist. Pineiro's kick was one of the few positives in the second half, according to The Olympian.
Overall, the loss showed a team still sorting out its depth. The quarterback injury is the top concern, but there were real bright spots in Rourke, Stribling, Bethune, and Pineiro. San Francisco has time to fix the weak spots before the regular season begins, per Kentucky.
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