49ers’ key players — other than Trey Lance — get night off vs. Packers
A look at how 49ers' frontline players fared in the exhibition opener Friday night against the Green Bay Packers.
SANTA CLARA — How the top players on the 49ers roster fared Friday night in the preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium:
QB Trey Lance: Put a charge into a half-filled crowd on his second possession with a 76-yard touchdown strike down the left sideline to rookie wide receiver Danny Gray. In two series, Lance was 4 of 5 for 92 yards. He had one rush for seven yards and was sacked once. Lance took a seat in favor of Nate Sudfeld when the second quarter began with the 49ers leading 10-7. Sudfeld promptly threw a 39-yard touchdown pass on a post to Ray-Ray McCleod on his first possession.
RB Elijah Mitchell: The injury bug, which was a common theme for Mitchell last season even as he rushed for a 49ers’ rookie record 963 yards, has struck again. Mitchell, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, has a hamstring issue and won’t participate in the preseason but is expected back for Week 1. Trey Sermon drew the start against Green Bay.
WR Brandon Aiyuk: A year ago, Aiyuk was taken to task by coach Kyle Shanahan for not working hard enough. This year he’s been perhaps the 49ers’ most outstanding player in camp. So good the 49ers didn’t want to risk him against Green Bay, so he watched from the sidelines.
WR Deebo Samuel: Samuel wasn’t expected to play and like Aiyuk he took a seat to let other receivers fight for roster spots against the Packers. Malik Turner started at one wide receiver spot and Jauan Jennings the other in place of Aiyuk and Samuel.
TE George Kittle: Kittle did not play and it’s conceivable he won’t get a preseason snap, leaving the position to Ross Dwelley, Tyler Kroft, Tanner Hudson and Troy Fumagalli. Dwelley started in place of Kittle and had a 3-yard reception from Lance on the 49ers’ opening drive.
LT Trent Williams: The 49ers have only one carved-in-stone starter on the offensive line, and Williams, one of the premiere left tackles in football, is it. He didn’t suit up while veteran Colton McKivitz started at left tackle.
FB Kyle Juszczyk: A five-time Pro Bowl selection used in a variety of ways by Shanahan, Juszczyk didn’t play, giving way to Josh Hokit.
DE Nick Bosa: Bosa did not suit up and didn’t play a single snap in the preseason a year ago after rehabbing from a torn ACL. He has been dominant during training camp, and given that his position on the edge has more to do with beating the man in front of him than interacting with teammates on defense, he may not see a snap this preseason either. Jordan Willis started at defensive end.
MLB Fred Warner: Warner has been a lightning rod during camp practices, pushing and prodding offensive players and occasionally crossing the line (he knocked out receiver Marcus Williams). He’s another in bubble wrap until Sept. 11. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles started in place of Warner at middle linebacker.
FS Jimmie Ward: The verbal and most versatile member of the 49ers secondary took a seat. Tarvarius Moore opened at free safety with Talanoa Hufanga at strong safety. Moore was victimized on one-on-one coverage by Green Bay rookie Romeo Dobbs for a 33-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Love in the first quarter.
DT Arik Armstead: Armstead is out with a knee sprain and likely wouldn’t have played even if healthy.
CB Charvarius Ward: The 49ers’ big-ticket item in free agency, Ward sat out with a groin strain and it’s conceivable he might not play until Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. The former Chiefs corner signed a three-year contract worth a maximum of $40.5 million and was having a very good camp until he was injured. Ambry Thomas and Ka’dar Hollman started at corner with Emmanuel Moseley also out with an injury.