49ers and Raiders Tie in Preseason Finale
The San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders played to a 24-24 tie in their preseason finale on Friday night at Allegiant Stadium. The game was a battle of reserves, with both teams resting their starters for the regular season.
Brock Purdy, the 49ers’ backup quarterback, had an efficient night, completing 9 of 12 passes for 96 yards. However, he also threw a red-zone interception that was nearly costly when he tackled the Raiders’ receiver to prevent a touchdown.
“I was hoping he wouldn’t tackle him,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “Because it’s preseason, let him score. But the fact he tackled him and got him down and didn’t get hurt, I’m glad he didn’t.”
The Raiders’ Nathan Peterman started the game and completed 12 of 19 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Carter Bradley led the tying drive for the field goal and finished 9 of 21 for 169 yards with a TD and interception in the end zone.
Tyreek McAllister, a Raiders player competing for a spot, returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown and caught a 35-yard TD pass.
The 49ers wanted to get a close look at most of their starters, including the preseason debuts of wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle. Kittle made a highlight 19-yard grab between two defenders and finished with three catches for 34 yards.
Not all the 49ers starters played, however, as All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey sat out with a calf injury. Also, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk have been in contract disputes that remain unresolved even with the season just two weeks away.
Aiyuk, however, was at Allegiant Stadium on Friday night and even chatted with Raiders coach Antonio Pierce before the game. Pierce was the linebackers coach at Arizona State when Aiyuk played there in 2018-19.
The 49ers will host the New York Jets on Sept. 9 to open the season, while the Raiders will visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 8 in the season opener.
Injuries
The 49ers lost left defensive ends Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd to sprained knees late in the first quarter. Both will undergo MRIs on Saturday.
