Chargers Fall Short In San Francisco In Preseason Finale
SANTA CLARA (AP) — Colin Kaepernick donned a red cap and sneakers, offered a quick side hug to third-string quarterback Dylan Thompson, then took his spot on the sideline for the San Francisco 49ers' 14-12 win against San Diego on Thursday night.
The 49ers will go into the regular season with significant questions about their offense after Kaepernick and the first team unit failed to score a touchdown on eight preseason possessions, and they didn't play in this one. Their next test will be in the season opener Sept. 14 against Minnesota.
Bruce Ellington showed he appears back to full strength following a hamstring injury, while former Australian rugby league star Jarryd Hayne made his case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Ellington caught a 70-yard touchdown pass on the third snap of the game when he ran about 65 yards following a quick slant. The Niners then converted a 2-point conversion to Quinton Patton.
Hayne carried 10 times for 58 yards, caught a pair of passes for 17 yards, and returned three punts for 43 yards.
Tyrell Williams caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from Brad Sorensen in the fourth quarter, but the Chargers missed the 2-point conversion to tie the game.
San Diego's Richard Crawford had a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. He picked off a pass by Thompson by jumping in front of DeAndrew White, while Cordarro Law came untouched at Thompson through the second-team Niners offensive line.
Ellington had a punt return of approximately 60 yards called back for a penalty.
Hayne made a pretty cutback on a 19-yard run late in the third quarter. On a 12-yard catch a few plays later, Hayne didn't budge when Lowell Rose tried to make a tackle on the sideline. Hayne just lowered his shoulder as the defender went down. That had his mother and sisters in smiles as they watched from the stands at Levi's Stadium.
Hayne also had a tackle on Javontee Herndon when he beat a double-team on return coverage. Late in the game, Hayne had his first fair catch so far.
Coach Jim Tomsula said Sunday on the heels of a loss at Denver that he had seen everything he needed to evaluate Hayne, who emerged through a strong training camp as a contender to make the 53-man roster, which will be announced Saturday.
White took a punishing hit from Adrian Phillips returning a punt 34 yards late in the second quarter.
Chargers backup quarterback Kellen Clemens was 10 of 17 for 64 yards.
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