LAS VEGAS — Brock Purdy had an efficient performance, completing 9 of 12 passes for 96 yards. However, he also threw a costly red-zone interception as the San Francisco 49ers wrapped up their preseason with a 24-24 tie against the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday night.
- Daniel Carlson's 43-yard field goal with just 16 seconds remaining brought the Raiders (0-2-1) level with the 49ers (1-1-1). Earlier, a 10-yard touchdown pass from Joshua Dobbs to Jacob Cowing had given the 49ers a 24-21 lead late in the third quarter.
With the regular season only two weeks away, the 49ers and Raiders adopted different strategies for this game. The 49ers chose to play most of their starters during the first quarter, while the Raiders fielded backups who were vying for roster spots.
Among those trying to secure a place was quarterback Nathan Peterman, who unexpectedly started the game after Coach Antonio Pierce initially announced Carter Bradley as the starter. Peterman completed 12 of 19 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Bradley, who led the tying drive for Carlson’s field goal, completed 9 of 21 passes for 169 yards, with a touchdown and an interception in the end zone.
Tyreik McAllister, another player competing for a Raiders' roster spot, shined with an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 35-yard touchdown catch.
The 49ers, on the other hand, used this game as an opportunity to evaluate most of their starters, including the preseason debuts of wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle. Kittle made a standout 19-yard catch between two defenders and finished with three receptions for 34 yards. This game added to his preseason career total, which previously stood at four catches for 47 yards.
Not all 49ers starters were present, though, in their first game at Allegiant Stadium since losing the Super Bowl six months ago to the Kansas City Chiefs. Key absentees included All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, sidelined with a calf injury, and All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who are both in unresolved contract disputes with just two weeks left before the season starts.
Aiyuk was at Allegiant Stadium on Friday night and chatted with Pierce before the game. Pierce, who was the linebackers coach at Arizona State when Aiyuk played there in 2018-19, shares a connection with the receiver. Aiyuk didn’t travel with the team two weeks ago when the 49ers played in Nashville and watched last week's home game against New Orleans from a private box.
Purdy, who played into the second quarter against the Raiders' reserves, led the 49ers to a 10-0 lead and nearly extended it to three scores. Their first drive ended with a 49-yard field goal by Jake Moody, followed by a 12-play, 85-yard touchdown drive. However, early in the second quarter, with the 49ers positioned at the Raiders' 16-yard line, Purdy's pass intended for Samuel was broken up by cornerback Sam Webb and intercepted by safety Chris Smith II.
The game was then left to the reserves from both teams.
Injuries: 49ers: Defensive ends Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd exited with knee injuries late in the first quarter. Both entered the injury tent and, although able to walk along the sideline, did not return to the game.
Next Games: 49ers: Host the New York Jets on September 9th to open the season.
Raiders: Visit the Los Angeles Chargers on September 8th for their season opener