SANTA CLARA – Patrick Willis, inducted final summer time into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, stopped behind a Levi’s Stadium finish zone Saturday night time and relayed how excited he was to observe stay soccer.
Sure, even a preseason opener that may yield first impressions of a brand new defensive forged.
So, which of the next-gen linebackers would possibly finally make performs like Willis did from 2007-14? Keep tuned. We’re just one preseason recreation into this, and the 49ers’ rising pains confirmed as a 9-0 lead flipped right into a 30-9 defeat towards the Denver Broncos.
That early lead got here through the 49ers’ would-be backups towards the Broncos’ legit starters, nonetheless.
“I felt pretty good with the defense in the first half,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “Mental mistakes kept a couple of drives going. I didn’t feel a lot with pass rush out there but have to watch the tape for sure.”
All-Professional Fred Warner bought the night time off with most different of the 49ers’ projected regular-season starters. However Dee Winters, Warner’s wingman within the beginning lineup all through camp, did play the opening two collection because the weakside linebacker subsequent to Tatum Bethune, Warner’s spectacular understudy.
San Francisco 49ers’ Fred Warner (54) stands on the sector throughout warm-ups earlier than their NFL preseason recreation at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
Winters didn’t have a sort out within the 10 snaps over the opening two collection, however he’s had an in any other case spectacular camp via 12 practices.
Another choice subsequent to Warner is Nick Martin, a third-round choose who changed Winters Saturday night time. Martin had a number of missed tackles within the third quarter, with one open-field whiff nullified by a Broncos penalty. Shanahan acknowledged these gaffes, together with his protection on a third-down shallow cross, however in any other case praised Martin’s camp and studying alternatives that await.
“Nick, when you’re a freshman, the only thing you can do is show up each day and work your tail off, and he’s been doing that,” stated Willis, who attended Thursday’s joint apply towards the Broncos. “Obviously there’s things we can always get better on, and it’s a matter of just working on those things.”
Martin’s late protection allowed a landing catch to tight finish Caleb Lohner with 2:15 left.
“He’s going to be very valuable. Special teams is really going to need him,” Willis added in pregame about Martin. “And then when you get a chance to come in on third downs, make a play here or there, but most important, be sound and get the confidence of your teammates you can do the right thing.”
Bethune made three tackles on Saturday’s opening drive, and he returned to motion within the second quarter after remedy on his proper ankle. Willis was conscious of him beforehand: “Bethune, I really feel could be that third linebacker and step in and be someone they can trust to get the job done.”
The 49ers, in fact, have a void to fill subsequent to Warner as a result of Dre Greenlaw left in free company for the Broncos; a quadriceps pressure saved him out of motion towards his previous workforce in apply and this recreation.
“I don’t think you can just replace someone like Dre Greenlaw,” Willis stated. “But when you have someone like Fred, all you need is someone beside you that you’re confident they’ll be where they’re supposed to be.”
For Willis, that sidekick turned NaVorro Bowman, and so they helped lead the 49ers to a few straight NFC Championship Video games and a Tremendous Bowl in Willis’ ultimate three full seasons earlier than foot points prompted his 2014 exit.
From the primary night time they roomed collectively in camp on the Santa Clara Marriott, Willis knew Bowman can be an ideal match, as a result of Bowman didn’t want Willis’ recommendation to dive into the playbook. “I’ll never forget, true story, I walk in our room and he’s already in his playbook,” Willis stated. “It hit me right away. The rest is history. We chopped it up and I won’t tell you the things we talked about, but I was, ‘I think we’re going to be alright.’ ”
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Carter Bradley (17) or Jordan Watkins (17) reaches for a move throughout warm-ups earlier than their NFL preseason recreation at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
EARLY LEAD
As soon as Winters and the 49ers protection took the sector, they’d a 7-0 result in shield, courtesy of a game-opening drive that culminated in Patrick Taylor Jr.’s 5-yard landing run.
Mac Jones, beginning at quarterback rather than Brock Purdy, had a fourth-and-1 conversion plunge on the previous snap, and Jones actually sparked the drive with a 50-yard completion to rookie Jordan Watkins to the Broncos’ 16-yard line, the place former 49ers security Talanoa Hufanga made a touchdown-saving cease.
Jones went 4-of-7 over three collection, along with his ultimate move intercepted when Ja’Quan McMillan undercut an out route by Watkins in 49ers’ territory. Carter Bradley took over early within the second quarter and threw an interception on his second collection.
San Francisco 49ers’ Darrell Luter Jr. (28) breaks up a move supposed for Denver Broncos’ Courtland Sutton (14) within the second quarter of their NFL preseason recreation at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
DEFENSE’S DEBUT
In Robert Saleh’s return as defensive coordinator after 4 years away, his unit produced factors on its second collection. Nickel again Chase Lucas’ blitz compelled Bo Nix to retreat into the top zone and throw the ball away towards the sideline, leading to a security and 9-0 Niners lead.
Then the Broncos scored 20 unanswered factors earlier than halftime, together with landing catches towards beginning cornerbacks Darrell Luter Jr. and Dallis Flowers. Luter’s apparently blown protection allowed tight finish Lucas Krull to get huge open for an 8-yard scoring catch, then Jarrett Stidham discovered ex-49er Trent Sherfield for a 36-yard landing over Flowers.
Earlier, the Broncos settled for subject targets because of a Luter move protection ultimately zone towards Courtland Sutton, then sacks on the following collection by Robert Beal Jr. and Kalia Davis.
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle (85) walks on the sector throughout warm-ups earlier than their NFL preseason recreation at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
INJURY UPDATES
Marques Sigle, a rookie starter at security, recorded seven tackles earlier than sustaining a first-half knee harm that Shanahan believes is a bruise. “He flashed a lot tonight. He got a late start. A few days into camp was when he got going,” Shanahan stated. “He had a heck of a week and finished it off today.”
Sigle began subsequent to veteran Jason Pinnock whereas the 49ers have been with out a trio of starters from final season — Ji’Ayir Brown (ankle), Malik Mustapha (knee) and Hufanga.
Working again Ameer Abdullah sustained a rib harm whereas fumbling on a third-quarter run. Defensive finish Robert Beal Jr. strained his groin within the fourth quarter.
Defensive lineman Mykel Williams certainly sustained a left-knee hyperextension and might have just one extra week to recuperate, Shanahan stated.
JENNINGS’ CALF
Shanahan insisted that huge receiver Jauan Jennings’ absence the final two weeks is because of a calf harm, much like one he had not solely within the spring organized workforce actions but in addition final coaching camp. Requested if Jennings informed him he’s holding out for enterprise functions in quest of a contract extension, Shanahan replied: “Not at all.” Jennings was the primary participant to exit the locker room after Saturday’s recreation.
MOST STARTERS SHELVED
Wholesome scratches on offense have been Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Rickey Pearsall and linemen Trent Williams, Jake Brendel, Dominick Puni and Colton McKivitz, together with injured huge receiver Jauan Jennings (calf). Ben Bartch began at left guard, the place the 49ers have him pegged to exchange Aaron Banks (Inexperienced Bay Packers).
Defensively, the 49ers sat Warner, Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams (knee), Jordan Elliott (again), Kevin Givens (pectoral), Renardo Inexperienced (hamstring), and Brown (ankle). Rookie nickel again Upton Stout didn’t go well with up due to a decent calf.
Shanahan stated 19 didn’t go well with up due to accidents and 7 have been wholesome scratches.
The Broncos performed their standard starters, together with defensive linemen Nick Bonitto and John Franklin-Myers, who had sacks on the 49ers’ second collection.
PREGAME TRANSACTIONS
The 49ers introduced again Ke’Shawn Vaughn to fortify a working again corps that didn’t go well with up McCaffrey, Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and rookie Jordan James (finger). Vaughn got here off the 49ers’ apply squad final season for 3 video games. Offensive lineman Zack Johnson was waived in Saturday’s corresponding roster transfer.
On Friday, the 49ers re-signed Mordecai, every week after his launch yielded No. 3 reps for Bradley. Additionally, huge receiver Equanimeous St. Brown was positioned on Injured Reserve (foot); he was signed July 22 on the eve of camp, launched on July 31 and re-signed Aug. 5.
Initially Revealed: August 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM PDT
