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49ers Plan Starters, Brock Purdy Set for Preseason Action

8/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The San Francisco 49ers will field a first-unit roster against the Los Angeles Chargers in Thursday's second preseason game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said starters will play and that quarterback Brock Purdy could see action, though he has not been informed.
Detroit Lions coach Jim Harbaugh said his starters will play one series.
The teams practiced at Bolt in El Segundo on Tuesday and will kickoff at 10 p.m. ET Thursday.

History

Historical Context

The NFL-AFL merger finalized on January 16 1970 created a 26-team league and shifted the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers to the new AFC to balance the conferences. It mandated at least two preseason games per club, drawing roughly 30,000 fans each in that inaugural year. Today, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Lions coach Jim Harbaugh keep that tradition alive with Thursday preseason starts.

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Story summary

The San Francisco 49ers will field a first-unit roster against the Los Angeles Chargers in Thursday's second preseason game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said starters will play and that quarterback Brock Purdy could see action, though he has not been informed.
Detroit Lions coach Jim Harbaugh said his starters will play one series.
The teams practiced at Bolt in El Segundo on Tuesday and will kickoff at 10 p.m. ET Thursday.

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