Chargers @ 49ers
Final Score: Niners 30, Chargers 23
Writer: Griffey Geiss (@ggeiss_mlb and @ggeiss_PL on Twitter)
The best way to define this game? Sloppy. Penalty flags everywhere, six total fumbles, QBs subbed in and out, bad special teams play, and overall a whirlwind of a game. Twenty different players had receptions in this game, each team had sub-100 rush yards but over 170+ receiving yards a piece, and both punters ended up amassing over 600 combined yards on 14 attempts. Trey Lance looked really solid against his former team early. Rookie D.J. Uiagalelei showed some flashes of greatness here and there. Skyy Moore made his debut in San Fran as well.
Three Up
- Dalevon Campbell — today’s star of the game; led in targets, receiving yards, and yards per target (min. 2 targets)
- Tanner Mordecai — facilitated the ball well, was efficient, showcased the ability to scramble, and didn’t turn the ball over
- D.J. Uiagalelei — was given free reign to sling the ball around and he did just that
Three Down
- Luke Grimm — fumbled not once, but TWICE on special teams… both were lost
- Nyheim Miller-Hines — lost a fumble, dropped an open pass, and frankly was unimpressive competing for a backup role
- Isaac Guerendo — was given so much run and couldn’t make anything of it; with Brian Robinson Jr. entering the RB room, he certainly didn’t help his chances
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Trey Lance: 5/8, 38 yards
Lance started the game for Los Angeles and commanded the offense for three possessions. He displayed excellent chemistry with Jalen Reagor, hitting him three times (including back-to-back plays in their second possession) for 33 yards. Lance looked good dinking and dunking, making short plays here and there while. He looked solid rolling out of the pocket and making throws on the run.
Taylor Heinicke: 3/5, 31 yards | 1 carry, fumble (recovered)
Heinicke relieved Lance and took over for two possessions. He overthrew an open receiver once and Nyheim Miller-Hines didn’t help by dropping a pass. He led a thirteen play drive from his own 23 yard line resulting in Los Angeles’ first points of the game, a field goal.
D.J. Uiagalelei: 16/31, 170 yards, 2 TD, INT | 1 carry, 13 yards
“DJU” showed some real promise early. On his first passing attempt, he connected with Oronde Gadsden II for a touchdown rolling out right under pressure. Later before halftime, Uiagalelei balled out leading a 7 play drive from his own 7 yard line with under two minutes remain. That possession resulted in a field goal, but his ability to connect with multiple receivers (including five consecutive completions, three for 10+ yards) was awesome to see. He worked really well with the star of the game, Dalevon Campbell.
Another dart from DJ Uiagalelei 🎯
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— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025
Running Back
Raheim Sanders: 13 carries, 48 yards | 2 targets, 2 receptions, 1 yard
Sanders led the game in rushing attempts and yards.
Nyheim Miller-Hines: 9 carries, 21 yards, 1 fumble (LOST) | 4 targets, 2 receptions, 9 yards
Miller-Hines had a really rough day. He dropped an easy pass early, then lost a fumble during the Chargers’ first possession and his first touch after halftime that ended up leading to a game-tying Niners score. This was the turning point in the game.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Dalevon Campbell: 9 targets, 4 receptions, 73 yards
What an impressive game from Campbell — a jump ball machine! The 6’4″ receiver displayed elite chemistry with DJU and (as previously mentioned) led the game in targets, receiving yards, and yards per reception (min. 2 rec).
Oronde Gadsden II: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 46 yards, TD
Gadsden caught an absolute dime from DJU in the second quarter, perhaps my favorite play of the game. A super underrated talent among TEs.
DJ Uiagalelei throws this TD on a rope to Oronde Gadsden!
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— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025
Jalen Reagor: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 33 yards
As mentioned above, his chemistry with starter Trey Lance was on point. Perhaps we haven’t seen the last of Reagor…
Luke Grimm: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 28 yards, TD, 2 PR fumbles (2 lost)
Just an abysmal performance altogether. After looking great as a punt return mere weeks ago, Grimm was able to muff not one, but two punt returns. He lost them both. However, he was able to somewhat make up for his mistakes by hauling in a touchdown from DJU. His chances of making the roster are looking… grim… to say the least.
Jaylen Johnson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 20 yards
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Carter Bradley: 8/14, 71 yards, TD | 1 fumble (LOST)
Bradley started for the Niners and led them to back-to-back three-and-outs before temporarily leaving due to injury precaution. He then bounced around with Mordecai on possessions all the way to the end — quite an odd strategy, really. Nothing he did really stood out.
Tanner Mordecai: 10/13, 103 yards, TD | 3 carries, 12 yards
Mordecai on the other hand was really good. He led multiple drives that resulted in touchdowns and even then, it seemed like San Fran didn’t favor him as the QB. He was the only quarterback with a passer rating over 100 in the game, let alone a quality 124.8, not to mention he had no turnovers and flashed both his ability to slice up defenses in the passing and run game. I especially loved this dot to Demarcus Robinson for a TD.
Tanner Mordecai drops a dime for the @49ers TD!
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— NFL (@NFL) August 24, 2025
Running Back
Jeff Wilson Jr.: 11 carries, 41 yards, TD | 1 target
Wilson Jr. led Niners backs in carries and rush yards. He was also able to power one in for a score. He should be awarded the RB3 slot behind CMC and BRJ to start the year, and tonight’s performance only helped his chances.
Isaac Guerendo: 8 carries, 13 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 1 yard
Guerendo entered tonight with work to do — Wilson Jr. trending up, Robinson Jr. recently acquired, and clearly behind CMC on the depth chart. San Fran gave him all the opportunities in the world to show something, however he just wasn’t able to make anything out of it. His 1.6 yards per carry was the worst among all backs (min. 2 rushing attempts) in the game. I should also note, he was wearing a brace on his right shoulder and took a hit there on special teams… maybe something to monitor?
Ke’Shawn Vaughn: 9 carries, 20 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 1 yard
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Malik Turner: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 41 yards
Turner led the 49ers in receiving yards and was second in targets tonight. He certainly put forward a good enough performance to warrant earning a roster spot, whether that’s with San Francisco and their crowded WR room or not, I’m not sure.
Demarcus Robinson: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards, TD
Robinson was my favorite receiver to watch tonight. He’s physical and creates separation well, not to mention he brings some great energy. Robinson will deal with a suspension to start the year, but there is a lot of talent here.
Skyy Moore: 6 targets, 3 receptions, 19 yards
Mediocre debut for the newest Niner. I was expecting a little “Moore” from him in the passing game, but all things considered he did fine. However, the catching woes continue as he dropped two passes early. In addition to being targeted a team-high six times, Moore ran back a kick return for 26 yards and three punt returns for a combined 16 yards.
Robbie Chosen: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 24 yards
Terique Owens: 1 target, 1 reception, 22 yards, TD