SANTA CLARA — Trey Lance had the time. Danny Gray had the speed. Just like that, the 49ers had themselves a deep-threat connection that puts NFL defenses on notice for the coming seasons.
Now that is how you make a preseason entrance.
Lance’s 76-yard touchdown strike to Gray came on the 49ers’ second drive against the Green Bay Packers, much to the delight of fans at a half-filled Levi’s Stadium en route to Friday night’s 28-21 win.
Lance had time on third-and-9 to wind up and launch a perfect pass that covered 40 yards in flight and found Gray, a speedy rookie out of SMU who promptly looks worthy of his third-round draft status. Gray made the catch at the Packers’ 30-yard line, sidestepped safety Dallin Leavitt along the sideline, and scored a go-ahead touchdown.
Then came the kudos. Lance made sure the touchdown ball safely was delivered to the equipment staff — presumably, a memento for Gray — and teammates rushed to congratulate both Gray and Lance, the latter receiving a bear hug from idle defensive end Nick Bosa.
That was the end of Lance’s on-field work, complete with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 (4-of-5, 92 yards). He did not sit and savor his preseason debut. When rookie McCrary-Ball made a 67-yard interception to end the first quarter, Lance was racing down the 49ers’ sideline and waving a towel in celebration of his teammates’ work. At halftime, Lance switched into sweats to watch the remainder in leisure.
Lance also produced points on the 49ers’ first possession, using his eight snaps to set up a 50-yard field goal from Robbie Gould. On that opening drive, Lance showed savvy and smarts by sliding away from contact on a 7-yard scramble.
So, two series and 11 snaps proved enough for Lance, even if each rep is valuable after sitting all but 2 1/2 games his rookie year behind Jimmy Garoppolo, who did not suit up nor show up on the sideline as he awaits his eventual extradition to another team.
A skeleton crew surrounded Lance, as the 49ers kept out all but a few of their projected Week 1 starters. The exceptions were defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga, and, offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey, Aaron Banks, Daniel Brunskill and Jake Brendel. In turn, the Packers sent out their second-string defense to face Lance.
McCLOUD’S MIXED DEBUT
Nate Sudfeld’s first snap in relief of Lance: a 39-yard touchdown bomb to Ray-Ray McCloud. Interestingly, McCloud also was targeted on Lance’s first pass of the night, and that resulted in an 8-yard completion. McCloud, a free agent acquisition via Pittsburgh, figures to line up a lot in the slot this season. He fumbled a catch in the final seconds before halftime, and he finished with four catches for 63 yards.
Jauan Jenning and Malik Turner served as the starting wide receivers in place of the inactive Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Sudfeld finished 8-of-11 for 103 yards.
TOP PICK HURT
Defensive end Drake Jackson sustained a shoulder injury in the second quarter. Jackson was a second-round selection with the 49ers’ top draft pick. Last year’s second-round pick, guard Aaron Banks, sustained a shoulder injury in his preseason debut a year ago. Jackson had flashed his athleticism when he fended off two blockers and chased down Packers backup quarterback Jordan Love on a scramble eventually nullified by a Green Bay penalty.
Defensive back Dontae Johnson (ribs) left in the fourth quarter.
WHOA! WHOA! WOMACK!
Rookie cornerback Sam Womack III intercepted Love, Aaron Rodgers’ stand-in, on back-to-back series in the second quarter. On the first, Womack wrestled away a potential catch by Romeo Doubs. Interception No. 2 came with the help of the 49ers’ pass rush and Womack returned it 50 yards.
MITCHELL AND HIS BACKUPS
Elijah Mitchell has a hamstring strain that will keep him out until the Sept. 11 season opener, as ESPN first reported. Hence, the preseason will feature a slew of carries for his backups, which is essentially what was expected all along. With veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. also not suiting up, Trey Sermon got the start and had just 11 yards on six. Ty Davis-Price had 2-yard gains on his first two carries and finished with 36 yards (10 carries), while fellow rookie Jordan Mason helped chew up the final minutes.
LINE SHIFT
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey, in his return from quadriceps surgery, played only the first series. He appeared to miss a block that resulted in Sermon’s 2-yard loss. The 49ers’ second drive opened with Justin Skule replacing McGlinchey, and Skule immediately yielded pressure that led to a sack. Skule allowed a sack in the final minute of the first half. With left tackle Trent Williams not in uniform, the 49ers started Colton McKivitz in his place, alongside right guard Aaron Banks, center Jake Brendel and right guard Spencer Burford.
HUDSON’S HEROICS
Tight end Tanner Hudson put the 49ers ahead by catching a 5-yard touchdown pass from Brock Purdy, this past draft’s final pick and thus “Mr. Irrelevant.” Hudson has been quite relevant. He’s caught 15-of-16 targets through 12 practices at camp.
GAROPPOLO TO JETS?
At the same time the 49ers’ press box announcer named Garoppolo among those not playing in this game, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson sustained an injury in his game against the host Philadelphia Eagles. The Jets would be a logical fit based on Garoppolo’s familiarity with head coach Robert Saleh (the 49ers’ former defensive coordinator) but even more so because their offensive scheme under coordinator Mike LaFleur is similar to the 49ers. Financially, the Jets and Garoppolo would have to rework his contract, which calls for $24 million in base salary this final year before he is eligible for free agency. The Jets have only $850,000 in salary cap room, according to NFL Players Association data. Joe Flacco and Mike White are the Jets’ backups.
Source: www.mercurynews.com