Niner Noise
FanSided

Cowboys vs 49ers: 5 top performances from preseason Week 1

By Robert Morrison

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 10: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talk with each other during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 10: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 and head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers talk with each other during pregame warm ups prior to the start of an NFL preseason football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 10: Jalen Hurd #17 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 17-9. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 10: Jalen Hurd #17 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter of a preseason NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers won the game 17-9. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 4: WR Jalen Hurd

Early on, it wasn’t clear what role wide receiver Jalen Hurd and fellow rookie wideout Deebo Samuel were going to play in the game, as neither were featured in the 49ers’ opening series. While this doesn’t mean much given that it’s the preseason, it was still interesting to note.

But once Hurd got into the game, he certainly made his presence felt, as two of his three catches went for touchdowns. The first came on an expertly designed crossing route, where after catching the pass, Hurd turned and bullied his way into the end zone for the 49ers’ opening score:

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1160373098304040961

The second came on, shockingly enough, a fade pass from quarterback C.J. Beathard:

https://twitter.com/49ers/status/1160394892545105920

There were questions regarding Hurd’s ability to get up and snatch the ball out of the air despite his 6-foot-5 frame, but if he’s able to keep this up, he could prove to be the red-zone threat that the 49ers have been missing in recent years.

There wasn’t much question as to whether Hurd would make the roster given his draft pedigree, but Hurd may have solidified his spot and could be on his way to carving out a regular role on the squad.