49ers vs. Chargers: 3 players not named Trey Lance to watch
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: 49ers Offensive Lineman Jaylon Moore
The Chargers elected to rest most of its starting defensive line against the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason opener. But with only three preseason games on the docket for each NFL team, it’s looking more like Week 2 of this year’s exhibition period is going to be treated like the previous Week 3 preseason tune-up game from prior seasons.
Maybe.
It’s anyone’s guess whether or not Bolts first-year head coach Brandon Staley gives players like Pro Bowl EDGE Joey Bosa reps against the Niners this weekend. Bosa, after all, didn’t play against the Rams, although the Chargers’ second-best sack artist from 2020, EDGE Uchenna Nwosu, saw 17 defensive snaps in that game.
Either way, and especially with starting left tackle Trent Williams nicked up, the pressure should be on for San Francisco’s rookie offensive lineman, Jaylon Moore.
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Moore got the start for Williams against the Chiefs and handled himself well enough against Kansas City’s first-team defense for the first quarter. While Moore was far from perfect, the fifth-round pick from this year’s draft is in clear contention to be the 49ers’ primary swing tackle supporting both Williams and right tackle Mike McGlinchey.
It’ll be interesting to see how Moore performs in his second game of NFL action and whether or not his efforts versus the Chiefs were a mere anomaly or if they’re a sign of positive things to come.