49ers vs. Chargers: Best performances from San Francisco’s 30-23 victory over Los Angeles

After splitting their first two preseason games, the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on Saturday night, and Kyle Shanahan’s team earned a 30-23 victory in the finale.

The 49ers decided to sit most of their starters again in this one, as Shanahan, his staff and general manager John Lynch wanted an opportunity to get one last look at some of their depth options before they have to trim their rosters down from 90 players to 53 in the coming days.

Advertisement

Neither team looked strong early, as the game started with eight straight punts before the 49ers scored their first touchdown. Things picked up from there, with turnovers and scoring coming in bunches.

As we break down this game, let’s take a look at which players deserve some respect for their performance against the Chargers.

LB Nick Martin

The rookie linebacker really struggled in the preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, missing several tackles, but he bounced back against the Las Vegas Raiders. His solid play continued in the finale, as he finished with eight tackles (one for a loss) and a forced fumble that led to San Francisco’s second touchdown of the game. He even flashed on special teams, making a huge tackle on a fourth-quarter kick return. The strong finish to the preseason should set him up for a rotational role in the regular season.

WR Demarcus Robinson

With a guaranteed spot on the roster, once his three-game suspension is up, Robinson didn’t play much in this game. Yet, he still had two receptions for 30 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown where he created some space behind two defenders for quarterback Tanner Mordecai to hit him in the end zone.

RB Jeff Wilson

Isaac Guerendo started at running back for San Francisco on Saturday, but Wilson was his top backup. He was really the only 49ers running back who ran well, totaling 41 yards on 3.7 yards per attempt and a touchdown. The duo of Guerendo and Ke’Shawn Vaughn only averaged 1.9 yards per rush on 17 carries. Wilson’s efforts may have earned him a spot on the roster.

P Thomas Morstead

Morstead celebrated his zero-punt effort against the Raiders, but the 49ers made sure he got last week’s share of work against the Chargers. Morstead punted seven times on Saturday for 314 yards with a long of 51 and with one downed inside the 20-yard line.

Advertisement

LB Curtis Robinson

Robinson missed most of the 2024 season with a torn ACL but was still the team’s nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. On Saturday, he had his first big moment of the preseason, intercepting Chargers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and returning the pass to the end zone for six points. What an incredible moment.

DEs Robert Beal and Trevis Gipson

Both Beal and Gipson are involved in a tight battle for depth spots in the defensive end room, and they both did well on Saturday. Gipson finished with two tackles (one for a loss) and Beal recorded two tackles of his own, but both were putting some pressure on Los Angeles’ quarterbacks throughout the game.

Advertisement

More 49ers: 49ers GM explains why he traded for a former second-round WR

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Best performances from 49ers preseason win vs. Chargers

Related Posts

🚨 BOMBSHELL: Just 12 hours after the Giants’ “intentional pressure on players” scandal, a 3x Pro Bowl DT has sent a desperate plea to the Saints — and New Orleans is already in talks to acquire the superstar! A tense situation is escalating fast as behind-the-scenes drama shakes the NFL. This isn’t just a deal… it’s a rescue move that could change everything.👇👇

New York, New York – Just 12 hours after the “intentional pressure on players” scandal erupted with the New York Giants, superstar defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence shocked…

🚨 BREAKING: An Eagles veteran has taken a $3M pay cut just to stay in Philadelphia — but Howie Roseman’s reaction is what truly shocked both the player and fans! An emotional moment is spreading fast as loyalty meets an unexpected front office response. This isn’t just sacrifice… it’s a situation that could reshape how the team is viewed.👇👇

The Philadelphia Eagles entered the offseason with a strong roster, but maintaining veteran leadership quietly became a key priority. 🏈 Despite the team’s overall stability, front office executives understood…

🚨 PACKERS PREDICTED TO ADD DYNAMIC JOSH JACOBS REPLACEMENT: Sources say Green Bay is targeting a playmaker to instantly upgrade their backfield, addressing the gap left by Jacobs. The move could shake up the NFC North and put defenses on high alert. Fans are already buzzing about who could step in, and the league is watching every development closely. This could be the key piece that transforms the Packers’ offense overnight.

Green Bay Packers Plan to Run It Back With Josh Jacobs While Eyeing Future RB Talent Green Bay, Wisconsin – April 2026 – The Green Bay Packers…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: Rod Wood has finally addressed the Ford family’s stance on selling the Lions — and his comments are igniting intense debate about the future of one of the NFL’s most talked-about franchises! What seemed like a simple statement is now dividing the fanbase. This isn’t just a response… it’s a sign that a major turning point could be coming.👇👇

As private eqυity coпtiпυes to fiпd its way iпto NFL owпership circles, the Detroit Lioпs remaiп oп the oυtside lookiпg iп — by choice. Team presideпt Rod Wood said this week…

🚨 LUKE VAN NESS HAS NO MORE EXCUSES: The Packers’ defensive overhaul leaves no room for error, Van Ness is now front and center with every play under a microscope, fans are buzzing as this could be the moment that defines his season, and the league is watching every move he makes.

Green Bay Packers’ Lukas Van Ness Poised for Breakout Season in 2026 Green Bay, Wisconsin – April 2026 – Three years after the Green Bay Packers selected…

🚨 BOMBSHELL: The Chiefs are set to “steal” a $33 million defensive anchor to build the most terrifying front in the NFL — a move that’s putting the entire league on notice! Behind-the-scenes strategy shows Kansas City isn’t satisfied with dominance yet. This isn’t just an upgrade… it’s a declaration of war against the rest of the NFL.👇👇

While Chiefs Kingdom is buzzing about the upcoming QB battle between Patrick Mahomes and the rookies, a massive story is developing in the trenches. Sources indicate the…