Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle
The man who will be one snap away from becoming among the San Francisco 49ers’ most important players this season began Saturday night resembling an A-plus insurance plan.
On the game-opening drive of the preseason opener, quarterback Mac Jones aced an exceedingly difficult test. Brock Purdy’s new backup was tasked with leading nine other offensive reserves — left guard Ben Bartch was the lone exception — against the Broncos’ mostly first-string defense, a group filled with players who allowed the NFL’s third-fewest points last year.
Jones responded by completing 3 of 3 passes, including a picturesque 50-yard strike to rookie wideout Jordan Watkins, and added a successful fourth-down QB sneak to direct an eight-play, 71-yard touchdown drive.
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So the 49ers are in good hands if Purdy is hurt this season? Hold on, because the good vibes were gone before Jones’ evening ended. After his impressive opening, Jones finished with a fizzle, undone by his second-string supporting cast and his own inaccuracy in a 30-9 loss to Denver.
In his three drives, Jones completed 4 of 7 passes for 74 yards, tossed an ugly interception, was dropped for two sacks and posted a 54.2 rating.
In other words, he looked like the 2021 first-round pick who led the Patriots to the playoffs as a rookie. And he resembled the turnover-prone castoff who is on his third team in the past three seasons. All in the span of 15 snaps.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters he was pleased with Jones’ performance, saying he did a “real good job.” But Jones wasn’t as charitable and indicated he’s still finding his way in the 49ers’ offense.
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“I was talking to some of the guys and it’s been a minute since everyone played football, a real game,” Jones said. “For me, I’m on a new team again. You just get more comfortable as time goes along. Definitely started off fast against their No. 1 defense, which was good … Really, (I) just have to play better in those other two drives. Hopefully, another chance next week to go out there and do it.”
Jones signed a two-year, $7 million contract in March, and arrived Sunday riding the momentum of what had been a strong training camp. He completed 24 of 28 passes in the past two practices and his first-drive TD march was his most impressive work of the summer.
However, the 49ers’ second possession featured a Keystone Kops performance by his blockers that highlighted a roster issue: The lack of a proven backup tackle, a position the 49ers failed to address in the offseason. After a 12-yard completion to wideout Demarcus Robinson, Jones was dropped for a sack due to a missed block by tight end Luke Farrell. His next snap: Sacked again when left tackle Spencer Burford, a converted guard, whiffed on pass rusher Nick Bonitto. The third-down snap: Jones was immediately pressured (missed block: Burford) and heaved a harried pass toward the 49ers’ bench.
Shanahan said it would be “unfair” to completely blame Burford on the two pressures he allowed, saying there were other breakdowns on those snaps. On third down, he said, Burford was supposed to get help with a chip block from a teammate who blew his assignment.
After he had no chance due to pressure, Jones ended with zero accuracy. On his three-snap final possession, he bounced a screen pass to Watkins and followed by throwing a pass near Watkins’ feet that was intercepted by sliding cornerback Ja’Quan McMillan.
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Shanahan, who said Watkins had a “typical rookie game,” said there was a miscommunication on the route. Jones indicated he expected Watkins, a fourth-round pick, to be in a different spot.
“Me and him — he’s a rookie, right — so we’re working on our timing,” Jones said. “I thought he played well overall. … We’ll just continue to grow. It was his first NFL game and I thought he did a good job.”
Jones’ mixed-bag performance was part of a night that included a consistently impressive effort from the 49ers’ largely backup defense against a host of Denver starters that included QB Bo Nix. The 49ers played just three potential starters, linebacker Dee Winters, safety Jason Pinnock and rookie defensive tackle CJ West, and dominated Denver. Nix’s three possessions featured a punt, safety and a 26-yard field-goal drive.
On the 49ers’ second defensive series, nickelback Chase Lucas, along with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, played starring roles. On the first snap, Lucas blitzed and his pressure forced an incompletion. On the third snap, Lucas blitzed again and forced a safety when Nix was called for intentional grounding after heaving an out-of-bounds pass from the end zone.
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Briefly: Lucas served as the first-string nickelback because rookie third-round pick Upton Stout did not play due to calf tightness. Stout is the favorite to win the role. … Shanahan confirmed rookie defensive tackle Mykel Williams suffered a hyperextended knee in Thursday’s practice. The first-round pick is expected to be out for about a week. … Defensive end Robert Beal (groin), safety Marques Sigle (knee) and running back Ameer Abdullah (ribs) did not finish the game.
