49ers display strong performance in preseason game against Chargers
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 5:28 AM
Last updated Aug 21, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers showcased a commanding performance against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night. After struggling in joint practices earlier in the week, the 49ers displayed significant improvement, especially in the second half, where they scored 21 unanswered points. Quarterback Brock Purdy led the start for San Francisco, followed by Mac Jones, who executed an efficient offense. Adrian Martinez rallied late in the game, directing three consecutive touchdown drives, while wideout Jacob Cowing delivered an impressive 84-yard punt return for a touchdown. The 49ers solidified their defensive capabilities with standout efforts that forced quick turnovers and limited the Chargers' scoring opportunities.
- •49ers scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.
- •Purdy, Jones, and Martinez contributed to the quarterback rotation.
- •Cowing returned a punt for an 84-yard touchdown.
- •49ers defense forced multiple three-and-outs against the Chargers.
- •Team improved substantially after challenging joint practices.
- 5:28 AMYahoo Sports — 49ers Bounce Back at SoFi: What We Learned from San Francisco’s Preseason Battle vs. Chargers
"Stache and all, head coach Kyle Shanahan had his San Francisco 49ers ready to respond at SoFi Stadium. Following a challenging joint practice session with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier in the week, San Francisco flipped the script on Thursday night, showing a completely different level of juice and execution. From early first string defensive stands to a dominant 21-unanswered-point avalanche in the second half, the 49ers fired on nearly all cylinders.
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