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49ers lose starting guard Puni, two running backs to injury against Raiders

August 16, 2025
49ers lose starting guard Puni, two running backs to injury against Raiders

LAS VEGAS – If only Brock Purdy’s incompletion to Ricky Pearsall at the goal line was the 49ers’ worst thing that happened in Saturday’s first half of a preseason visit to the Raiders.

Instead, right guard Dominick Puni sustained a knee injury while blocking on an opening-drive field goal.

Then came more pain to the 49ers’ already battered roster: rookie running back Corey Kiner got carted off with a left-ankle injury after a 19-yard run into Raiders territory. Kiner had replaced Patrick Taylor Jr., who left with a shoulder injury.

Add in a Jake Moody missed field goal, and, well, the 49ers weren’t enjoying the loveliest of afternoons off the Vegas strip.

Purdy and other Week 1 offensive starters got pulled after their opening series. Defensively, the 49ers were down to only a few healthy starters before kickoff, and one of them, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir, got bulled over at one point by Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty.

The 49ers kept out only a few projected Week 1 starters who are healthy: left tackle Trent Williams, running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa, the latter of whom went through a pregame workout and looked unhindered by neck soreness that ruled him out of Thursday’s joint practice.

Puni’s knee injury could have the biggest impact of this game. It happened when Matt Hennessy got driven backward (by two Raiders) into Puni’s right knee while Jake Moody made a 30-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Puni jogged off after the play.

Puni played all but one snap last season as a surprise rookie, and he isn’t the only starting guard who’s hurt. Ben Bartch, the projected starter at left guard, is sidelined by an elbow injury.

Rookie Connor Colby started at left guard this game, and Nick Zakelj took over at right guard after the opening series. The 49ers potentially could move Spencer Burford back inside, though he’s spent all year transitioning from a guard to potentially Trent Williams’ backup at left tackle.

The running back depth already was tested before Taylor’s and Kiner’s exits. Injuries this camp to Isaac Guerendo (shoulder) and Jordan James (finger) prompted the signings of Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Jeff Wilson Jr., the latter of whom scored a 1-yard touchdown run Saturday just five days after his signing. Taylor got stuffed for a 5-yard loss on his first run, and he finished with four carries for minus-6 yards before his shoulder injury.

Purdy impressed in his debut after missing his third straight preseason opener. He opened 5-for-5 passing, completing his first three to Pearsall, including a 21-yard conversion on third-and-18. Completions to Isaiah Hodgins and Demarcus Robinson got the 49ers to the 13-yard line, then Robinson bobbled a pass that nearly got intercepted at the 5-yard line, and a Purdy scramble safely out of bounds, he threw a third-and-9 pass toward Pearsall, who instead cut inside on his route.

Injuries prompted the 49ers to start a patchwork defensive front, and Geno Smith took advantage from the jump with a play-action pass that found Brock Bowers for a 28-yard gain down the right sideline against safety Ji’Ayir Brown. Bryce Huff started at left defensive end and couldn’t shake the block of right tackle D.J. Glaze while Smith stepped into his throw.

The 49ers defense did scrape together a few highlights: Nick Martin’s sack on a third-down blitz, Chase Lucas’ third-quarter interception, a big hit from Tatum Bethune, and a third-down stop from safety Marques Sigle.

Mac Jones got intercepted only five snaps into replacing Purdy, with Jeremy Chinn picking off a pass intended for Robbie Chosen. But Jones was 13-of-16 for 135 yards (with an Isaiah Hodgins drop at the goal line) by the time the 49ers finished a third-quarter drive with a 26-yard field goal that Moody hooked inside the left upright.

Moody’s 30-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead was quickly forgotten once he pulled a 53-yard attempt wide left three minutes before halftime, stoking memories of his sophomore slump last season.

The Raiders converted their interception of Jones into a touchdown run by Ashton Jeanty, who smacked into Ji’Ayir Brown at the goal line and also got hit by Bethune.

Among the wounded not suiting up were five draft picks: defensive linemen Mykel Williams (knee) and C.J. West (knee); cornerback Uptown Stout (calf); wide receiver Jordan Watkins (ankle); and, running back Jordan James (finger).

The 49ers’ defensive line was like an open casting call, seeing how injuries prompted the team to sign eight defensive linemen since training camp opened. Huff started alongside Kalia Davis, rookie Alfred Collins and Jonathan Garvin. Out were Bosa, Williams, West, Jordan Elliott (back), Kevin Givens (pectoral), Sam Okuayinonu (adductor), and Robert Beal (adductor).

One inactive 49er who surprisingly caught a few passes from Purdy in pregame: Brandon Aiyuk, who wasn’t in uniform and is on the Physically Unable To Perform list, where he’s likely to start the season until a Week 6 comeback.

Tom Brady, a Raiders minority owner and a Serra High-San Mateo product, watched from the Raiders’ coaches booth on the press-box level.

One preseason game remains, next Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium.

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