The San Francisco 49ers played their first preseason game of the 2026 season matching up with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, Aug. 13.
It was a taste of what’s to come in the upcoming NFL season as football’s return to the airwaves is officially here.
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The 49ers fell to the Titans, 19-13, but it was an exhibition to get the ball rolling on a long, drawn-out season. San Francisco didn’t play any of its starting veterans, but was able to get a good look at many of its young players and returning guys.
“We decided that before, I wasn’t going to play many of our vets, any of our vets really. Or not any, but the guys, vets who were starters,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game. “We decided that a little earlier in the week before we went against Tennessee. If we didn’t feel we got that work in, probably would have changed my mind. But was real happy with the work that we got that day.”
Here are San Francisco 49ers grades from performances against the Tennessee Titans during NFL Preseason Week 1.
San Francisco 49ers grades from Week 1 preseason performance vs Titans:
Check out these grades given to the Niners after their 19-13 loss to the Titans in NFL preseason Week 1.
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Rookie watch
De’Zhaun Stribling carried the rookie class against the Titans. He looks like he’s going to a key target this season. He has the tools to become one of the best in wideouts in 49ers history. He finished with 7 catches for 63 yards, averaging 9 yards per catch, on 8 targets.
“It seemed good. I mean, we’ll see when we watch the film. I thought he struggled a little bit on that on the first drive, but I think he got three drives after that, and seemed like he executed all the stuff that went to him,” Shanahan said of Stribling’s performance. “I liked how his hands looked out there and played physical.”
Other rookie moments include Romello Height, who provided mounds of pressure on the Titans offensive line, getting into the backfield. He showed glimpses of being a disrupting force in between snaps. Gracen Halton recorded four tackles and a tackle for loss.
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“It’s always tough when these guys miss time, but I think he’s been back for at least a week too, and I think he’s taking advantage of it,” Shanahan said of Halton. “He had a good week and looked like he did some good things out there today, but have to see the film and know for sure.”
Ephesians Prysock had a solid game with a couple tackles and used his 33 1/8 inches and an exceptional wingspan of 80 1/2 inches to get a huge pass break-up to save a touchdown. Prysock could be a name to watch closely.
“Anytime rookies come in, they they got an uphill battle. He’s been able to stay healthy and go through these two weeks, which I think has been really good for him, it looked like he did some good things today,” Shanahan said about Prysock.
Grade: B
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Niners are deep with linebackers
The 49ers linebacker core could be one of the best in the NFL. Their starters, of course, are led by Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw and Mykel Williams. But when they are off the field, pressure is still felt from guys like Tatum Bethune and Nick Martin, who despite an early exit with a stinger, returned and led the team with 8 tackles against Tennessee.
Grade: B
Backup offensive line is OK, not elite
It’s understood that 49ers starters weren’t going to be on the field much, if at all. So some of these grades can be taken with a grain of salt, especially considering those players who might not see many snaps as the season goes. But if you’re out there, you have to produce. Their NFL futures are on the line.
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The front five allowed just two sacks all game. Their run blocking wasn’t great, but not entirely bad. Yes, the offense scored a goal line touchdown, but overall the 49ers were held to 3 yards per carry with 84 yards on 28 attempts. Christian McCaffrey didn’t suit up so keep that in mind, but Sincere McCormick ended with 10 carries for 38 yards.
Grade: C
Additional notes
Quarterback Kurtis Rourke looked comfortable on the field in his first NFL action. Rourke missed the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL. He was selected out of Indiana by the 49ers in the seventh round with the 227th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.
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He completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards and was never sacked. He ended the game with a 96.7 rating.
“He looked good. Got the ball to the right spot. Then he hung in there, played well, did a hell of a job on that draw. It looked good out there live,” Shanahan said.
Rourke, though, suffered a rib injury in the second quarter that kept him out the remainder of the game. Shanahan said he’s not sure how much time Rourke will miss.
“He was struggling to breathe, so they took him to the hospital just to check on everything, make sure it’s all right,” Shanahan said. “X-rays in here didn’t show it was broken or anything but you know we’ll see what we find out tomorrow. … We weren’t too concerned. I don’t want to downplay it too much, but also not trying to overplay it either.”
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Other 49ers injuries included cornerback Jack Jones (hand, did not return), safety Marques Sigle (oblique, did not return) and cornerback Nate Hobbs. Hobbs is out a few weeks after pulling his groin in a joint practice with the Titans. He did not suit up.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: San Francisco 49ers takeaways, grades from Week 1 preseason vs Titans
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