What We Saw: Preseason Week 3

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Chargers @ 49ers

Final Score: Chargers 23, 49ers 12

Writer: Chad Simpson (@CaoChadTTV on Twitter)

Chargers run the ball into the ground, beat 49ers. On a night where they had just 13 completions, the Chargers win 23-12. The lone bright spot in the grinding effort was a massive Joshua Kelley TD early in the 1st half. On the other side of the ball the Niners repeatedly drove down the field early and should have been up big, but a brutal Jordan Mason turnover derailed their momentum.

Three Up

Joshua Kelley – Big bounce-back to stay relevant behind Austin Ekeler
Sam Darnold – A simple night, but the bigger story is that he is now the #2 behind Brock Purdy. If Purdy were to falter or succumb to injury I believe in this system with CMC, the O-Line and his red zone rushing upside Darnold could be a top 12 QB
Quentin Johnston – A quiet night but a night where he hauls in all of his targets yet again.

Three Down

Isaiah Spiller – Had a chance to put a stamp on a strong preseason and push for meaningful regular season snaps. Instead, he goes out with a whimper.
Easton Stick – Gameplan likely dictated it but 9/11 for 38 yards is not what you want to see when you are trying to prove you could be relevant if thrust into action.
Max Duggan – Showcased his running ability to reasonable effect. The reason he lands here is that he did not do enough to secure the backup job behind Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers

| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |

Quarterback

Easton Stick: 9/11, 38 Yards | 2 Carries, 7 Yards

Stick only had 2 incompletions but was far uglier than the ugly line implies. Frequently inaccurate and reckless with the ball, Stick solidified his status as a mediocre backup.

Notes

Dangerous throw to start 1st drive that nearly got his receiver killed and should have been a pick 6.
More bad throws as his inaccuracy leads to a stalled drive in red zone late in 1st half.

Max Duggan: 4/9, 15 Yards, TD | 6 Carries, 51 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)

Duggan throws for TD despite the ugly performance. Duggan is far removed from fantasy relevance but offers rushing upside if he ever makes it to a lineup.

Notes

Dodged bullet on tipped ball.
Followed up with bad throw to RB that he has to recover for big loss.

Missed Opportunities

Barely touched sideline on fantastic run that he took all the way.

Running Back

Joshua Kelley: 2 Carries, 78 Yards, TD

Catches defense napping for 75 yard TD. Kelley is in the mix alongside Isaiah Spiller if Austin Ekeler goes down with injury.

Joshua Kelley was the favorite to be Austin Ekeler’s backup before this run. Lock it in. Great late round pick in best ball. pic.twitter.com/O4FLrfB4jf

— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) August 26, 2023

Notes

Great job of seeing lane to house it for 75 yards.

Isaiah Spiller: 5 Carries, 14 Yards

Quiet night for the Chargers RB 2.5.

Tyler Hoosman: 12 Carries, 43 Yards

Elijah Dotson: 6 Carries, 33 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 9 Yards

Dotson finishes strong, still on roster bubble.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Quentin Johnston: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards

Johnston continues to do what he needs to with each of his targets this preseason. If this usage over the middle carries over to when Justin Herbert is at QB, we could be looking at a breakout performance by the rookie.

Notes

Great job of coming back to the ball on one of his receptions.

Keelan Doss: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 14 Yards

Doss has quiet night, fantasy value unlikely.

Stone Smartt: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 6 Yards

Smartt has quiet night in quest for roster spot.

Terrell Bynum: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards

Bynum leads in targets, unlikely to make team

San Francisco 49ers

| Preseason Week 1 | Preseason Week 2 |

Quarterback

Brock Purdy: 5/9, 73 Yards | 1 Carry, 5 Yards, TD

Purdy has solid night as he continues his return from injury. Purdy’s fearless and accurate passing game coupled with some rushing upside makes Purdy a good QB2.

Notes

Easy walk-in TD after pump fake freezes defense.

Missed Opportunities

1st drive derailed by collision with Mason followed by a Mason turnover.
Missed Aiyuk who had a step on defender in back corner of endzone.

Sam Darnold: 6/11, 89 Yards, TD

Darnold has secured the #2 job and has vaulted near the top of the best backup in the league conversation as a result.

Notes

Great job finding Snead in the back of the endzone for a TD.

Missed Opportunities

I’m surprised by the lack of rushing attempts by Darnold during the preseason.

Running Back

Jordan Mason: 9 Carries, 59 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 13 Yards | 1 Fumble (Lost)

Mason showcases playmaking ability, commits goal line turnover.

Notes

Good job of getting separation on a short in route to extend the 1st drive.
Makes up for bad turnover with big chunk play the following drive leading to a score.

Missed Opportunities

Lost out on TD opportunity when Purdy tripped him.
Followed that with a brutal goal line turnover.

Tyron Davis-Price: 10 Carries, 61 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 16 Yards

Price has strong night, averages 6 YPC.

Notes

Plays key role in Willie Snead TD drive.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

Deebo Samuel: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 18 Yards

Deebo is Deebo. You likely either think he is an elite WR1 or you think he is going to get surpassed by Aiyuk this year. With CMC and both Mason and Price showing well I would not expect the run game usage to return.

Brandon Aiyuk: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 35 Yards

Flashes big play ability in final tune-up. Aiyuk continues to rise up draft boards thanks to his many truthers despite his status as a WR2/3

Notes