Brock Purdy played well by completing 9 of 12 passes for 96 yards, but he also threw an interception in the red zone. After that, he made a touchdown-saving tackle that worried his coach.
“When it happened, I was hoping he wouldn’t tackle him,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan after the game ended in a 24-24 tie with the Raiders. “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.”
Daniel Carlson’s 43-yard field goal with 16 seconds left tied the game for the Raiders (0-2-1) against the 49ers (1-1-1). Earlier, Joshua Dobbs threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Cowing, giving the 49ers a 24-21 lead late in the third quarter.
The 49ers used most of their starters in the first quarter, while the Raiders tested their backups, who are trying to make the roster or get noticed by other teams.
Teams need to cut their rosters to 53 players by Tuesday, and Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said he would talk with general manager Tom Telesco about the final decisions.
“It’s not easy cutting 37 men and telling them they have to find somewhere else to play,” Pierce said.
Quarterback Nathan Peterman, who was unexpectedly named the starter, played the first half, completing 12 of 19 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.
Carter Bradley, who was initially expected to start, led the drive for the tying field goal and ended up 9 of 21 for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Tyreik McAllister, who is also vying for a roster spot with the Raiders, had a standout performance by returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown and catching a 35-yard touchdown pass.
The 49ers used this game to evaluate many of their starters, including wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, who made a memorable 19-yard catch between two defenders.
Kittle ended the game with three catches for 34 yards, improving on his previous preseason total of four receptions for 47 yards.
Not all the 49ers starters played, as this was their first game at Allegiant Stadium since their Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs six months ago.
“I actually really like the stadium,” said 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan. “It has a cool atmosphere and feels like a true football stadium inside. It’s nice to have games here.
But, yeah, it wasn’t the best feeling going into the locker room remembering the last time you were in there, but you get over it pretty fast.”
Some key players were missing from the game, including All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who is sidelined with a calf injury.
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and second-team All-Pro receiver Brandon Aiyuk are also dealing with unresolved contract issues, with the season starting in just two weeks.
Aiyuk was present at Allegiant Stadium on Friday night and even talked with Pierce before the game. Pierce had been Aiyuk’s linebackers coach at Arizona State in 2018-19.
Aiyuk did not travel with the team two weeks earlier when they played in Nashville and watched last week’s home game against New Orleans from a private box.
Purdy played into the second quarter against the Raiders’ backups, leading the 49ers to a 10-0 advantage and almost extending the lead further.
“It felt good to get out there with the guys and move the ball,” Purdy said. “We were all in rhythm.”
On the first drive, Jake Moody kicked a 49-yard field goal, and Purdy then led the 49ers on a 12-play, 85-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
Later, San Francisco was at the Raiders’ 16-yard line when Purdy’s pass to Samuel was broken up by cornerback Sam Webb and intercepted by safety Chris Smith II.
Purdy then made a tackle, his third career tackle counting preseason, regular season, and playoffs.
“I’m trying to get him out of bounds and have our defense get good field position,” Purdy said. “I felt like I had leverage to get him out of bounds and that’s what I tried to do. Obviously, I don’t want to be tackling in the preseason, but it happened so quick.” After that, both teams used their reserves.
