San Francisco finally found the end zone this preseason thanks to Blaine Gabbert and an undrafted rookie running back.
It took the San Francisco 49ers nearly two and a half preseason games to find the end zone, but they finally broke through during a 21-7 win over the San Diego Chargers. Blaine Gabbert found Vance McDonald for a 6-yard touchdown with 46 seconds remaining in the second quarter, then rookie running back Glenn Winston broke loose for a 27-yard score in the fourth quarter.
McDonald, who had just eight catches last season, hauled in three receptions and Gabbert went 5-of-6 passing on that first scoring drive.
Winston, an undrafted free agent out of Northwood University, had eight carries for 58 yards.
It was a starkly different outing for the two starting quarterbacks. Philip Rivers was razor sharp, completing all but one of his 10 passes for 85 yards. He capped his three-drive outing by hitting Antonio Gates for a 10-yard touchdown just before the end of the first quarter. Niners starter Colin Kaepernick, on the other hand, went just 6 of 12 and lost a fumble. San Francisco managed a lone field goal during his four drives.
Chargers running backs Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead were busy, combining for 12 touches for 75 yards.
The third quarter brought a promising look at a pair of 49ers draft picks. Fifth-round pick Aaron Lynch got a hand on a pass and tipped it into the air, then first-round pick Jimmie Ward finished the play by corralling it for an interception. Lynch had an especially impressive day -- he batted down two passes, got a sack and a quarterback hit.
Injuries
Chargers backup nose tackle Kwame Geathers doubled back awkwardly during the first quarter and had to be carted off with an apparent leg injury. Geathers has been filling in for starter Sean Lissemore.
The cart came out twice more, once for Chargers reserve defensive lineman Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe and once for Niners backup center Marcus Martin. Both suffered knee injuries and neither returned to the game.
San Diego center Nick Hardwick also departed in the first quarter with a neck injury.