49ers Beat Saints 16-10 Despite Purdy's Struggles

In a tightly contested matchup, the San Francisco 49ers edged out the New Orleans Saints 16-10 on Sunday night, despite fielding a roster largely composed of backups. The 49ers, missing key players including three starting offensive linemen and All-Pro tight end George Kittle, relied on quarterback Brock Purdy, who struggled to find rhythm, completing just 2 of 6 passes for 11 yards in his limited play. The Saints' offense, led by Derek Carr, found success with a 95-yard touchdown drive against the 49ers' second-string defense. Carr completed 7 of 9 passes for 47 yards, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Taysom Hill on fourth down. Carr's performance marks an improvement under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, as he has now completed 9 of 15 passes for 59 yards in the preseason. In contrast, the Saints' backup quarterbacks faced challenges, with rookie Spencer Rattler throwing for only 27 yards and losing a fumble, while Jake Haener managed 76 yards on 7 of 13 passing. The 49ers' Joshua Dobbs contributed significantly, leading a touchdown drive that included an 11-yard scramble and a 1-yard TD run, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. In injury news, Saints rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry left the game with a right leg injury, while newly signed 49ers defensive tackle Nick Williams sustained a knee injury in the first half. The 49ers will next face the Raiders on Friday night.