Full Breakdown
49ers Expect Select Starters to Play in Thursday Preseason Clash with Chargers
8/19/2026, 11:52:34 PM
Core Event
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that a “number of starters” will see action when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Chargers in their second preseason game on Thursday night. Shanahan emphasized that not all starters will be on the field, contrasting the approach taken in the team’s preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, when the 49ers rested their first-unit players.
Background & Context
The 49ers did not deploy starters in the opening exhibition, leaving the first-team roster largely on the sidelines. Thursday’s matchup at SoFi Stadium marks the first opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate its top players in live-game conditions before the regular season. The teams also held a joint practice on Tuesday in El Segundo.
Official Statements & Responses
- Kyle Shanahan said he expects “a number of starters” to play and that the decision will be communicated to the players “soon.” He noted a “good chance” that quarterback Brock Purdy will receive snaps.
- Jim Harbaugh indicated the Chargers will also feature their starters for at least one series.
- Shanahan addressed speculation about running back Christian McCaffrey’s absence from practice, stating that “people make a lot of assumptions, and that would be one that they're wrong on.”
On-the-Ground Reports
During the joint practice, Chargers center Tyler Biadasz was carted off with a left-leg injury, prompting rookie Jake Slaughter to take reps at center. Slaughter praised Biadasz as a “wonderful mentor” and noted veteran players urging newcomers to “buckle your chin strap.”
San Francisco’s running back Kaelon Black returned from an adductor injury, and quarterback Brock Purdy expressed excitement about the heightened intensity when he handled the ball in practice. Wide receiver Mike Evans sat out with a wrapped left foot, with the staff monitoring his condition as “tightness” rather than a serious issue.
Data & Statistics
- Starters rested in the preseason opener vs. the Tennessee Titans.
- Joint practice held on Tuesday at The Bolt in El Segundo, California.
- Injury update: Chargers’ starting center Tyler Biadasz suffered a left-leg injury; rookie Jake Slaughter assumed center duties.
- Player availability: 49ers’ running back Christian McCaffrey listed with “tightness”; wide receiver Mike Evans limited by a foot wrap.
Verbatim Quote
- “You could tell there’s a different level of intensity when he touches the ball. I’m excited to see what he does in live action too.” — Brock Purdy, 49ers quarterback
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The Thursday preseason game will give both teams a limited yet valuable glimpse of their starters in action, informing final roster decisions ahead of the regular season.
