The week ends on a high note despite the steady rise of injured players on the roster. In today’s game alone, the Niners lost star guard Dominick Puni, and running backs Patrick Taylor and Corey Kiner. All three players are expected to only be out a few weeks. While Puni may be back to begin the season, Coach Shanahan did mention that he might have suffered an injury to his PCL. Despite the adversity, the 49ers kept their cool and found a way to win.
The Niners started the week placing Ameer Abdullah, Bradlee Anae and Andre Dillard on IR. Then, later in the week, C.J. West hyper-extended his knee causing him to be out for the next two or three weeks. Hopefully the 49ers can survive the next three weeks leading into the season without any more significant injuries.
Today, Brock Purdy stepped on the field for the first time after signing his block buster deal. He did not disappoint as he hit his first 5 passes with deadly accuracy. Of course, Purdy had a bit of help from “Slick Rick”(that is Ricky Pearsall). Pearsall showed off why he was last year’s first round choice. His routes are silky smooth, and his hands are soft as butter.
The Purdy/Pearsall duo connected on three different routes during the first drive. The best connection was during a third and eighteen. The Raiders had blown up two run plays in the backfield, putting the Niners at a massive disadvantage. The Niners lined up in eleven personnel (that is one running back and one tight end). Purdy takes the snap in the gun and executes a five-step drop. At the top of the drop, he releases the ball to Pearsall who ran a deep end cut to the hash mark. The 21-yard connection highlights Purdy and Pearsall’s hard-won chemistry.
Three other players caught our attention in today’s matchup. Chase Lucas collected an interception and a crucial game changing sack. Nick Martin’s play greatly improved this week as he pin-balled around the field collecting five tackles and a sack. Finally, the player of the game in my opinion is Jake Moody.
Jake Moody hit five of six field goals today. He missed a 53 yarder, and his next field goal was a near miss. Yet, when the chips were down, and there was four seconds left on the clock, Pete Carroll called a time out. Yup, that’s right…Pete tried to ice Moody. It didn’t work. Moody set a personnel record with a 59-yard walk off field goal as the 49ers won the game. I think its safe to say Moody has shaken off last year’s woes.
The final player that impressed me today is Connor Colby. The 49ers drafted Colby in the seventh round. The Iowa star started at right guard today. He stayed at right guard all the way into the third quarter. He held his own in pass protection and was serviceable in the run game. Notably, Colby was an all Big Ten player for two years in a row. He appears to be another 49er seventh round steal. 
San Francisco 49ers place kicker Jake Moody (4) makes the game-winning field goal during a preseason NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)Finally, the 49ers coaching staff deserves a lot of credit. The team is depleted due to injuries. Yet the players know their job and they are motivated. With the game on the line, the offense executed, the defense forced a turnover, and special teams scored a crucial six points in the last 37 seconds of the game.
Only teams with great team chemistry, grit and motivation are able to accomplish such a feat, regardless of where in the season they are at. Jake Moody’s 59-yard field goal with 4 seconds left on the board will be in the back of the minds of every 49er that makes this year’s roster. When the times get tough, the team will know that they have the ability to get it done. They will have the confidence to trust their coaching staff and each other to win the game. We have a lot to look forward to this year. See ya back home at Levis next week!
