49ers win on scorecard but stars shine

A new series will highlight three standout 49ers players after each game this season

49ers Stars Shine in Uneven Preseason Debut

The 49ers opened their preseason against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium with a mix of rough edges and bright spots. Junior Bergen, the Montana product known for punt returns, delivered a 28-yard return from the 15-yard line that flipped field position and helped jumpstart the next San Francisco drive. That moment would have ranked among the longer Shanahan era returns in a regular season, underscoring the potential impact of a credible return game even in a showcase setting.

WR Jordan Watkins stepped into a wider role with injuries piling up at the position. He finished with three receptions for 56 yards and sparked the offense with a 50-yard catch on the opening drive, setting up the 49ers’ lone scoring play. The big gain showed his ability to create separation, though a later miscue, an interception on a route, signaled there is still work to do to translate flashes into consistency.

CB Chase Lucas made the strongest case on defense, delivering early pressure with an unblocked blitz that helped force a safety and later showing solid coverage on the Broncos’ plays. Lucas flashed versatility in a night when the nickel spot is up for grabs and the defense looked to establish its depth beyond established starters.

The game laid bare how San Francisco is evaluating depth across several positions as roster decisions approach. Bergen’s punt return prowess puts him in the mix for a specialized role that could free a spot for another contributor elsewhere, but the team will weigh the overall value of a pure returner on the 53-man roster. The WR competition is particularly open, with Watkins seizing the moment but still needing consistency as others push for snaps in the coming weeks. Injuries in this group create opportunity, and the way the backs end up contributing in practice will matter as much as what happens in games.

Defensively, Lucas’s early impact matters because it signals a potential path for a versatile corner who can blitz and cover in small samples. If he can maintain this level of play, San Francisco could lean on players who bring multiple skill sets rather than relying on a fixed starter every week. In short, the preseason is less about results and more about who can translate these moments into a reliable role in September.

Highlights

As the roster battles heat up, these early performances will be weighed against practice and future games