49ers vs. Chargers: Preseason live game thread, how to watch

The 49ers visit the Chargers for Week 2 of the 2021 NFL preseason, yet the biggest focal point will continue to be Trey Lance.

For those thinking San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would treat Week 2 of the 2021 preseason, a game on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers, more like the traditional exhibition regular-season tune-up game, think again.

Much like he did in the Niners’ exhibition opener against the Kansas City Chiefs a week ago, Shanahan is again planning on sitting the bulk of his first-string players on both sides of the ball.

Not expected to play versus the Bolts include:

• TE George Kittle
• RBs Raheem Mostert, Trey Sermon, Elijah Mitchell
• WR Jalen Hurd
• OL Trent Williams, Shon Coleman, Aaron Banks, Alex Mack
• CBs Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams
• LBs Fred Warner, Azeez Al-Shaair
• DLs Nick Bosa, Dee Ford

Noticeably absent from the list of players expected to sit this one out are the two San Francisco quarterbacks jockeying for the starting job this season, Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.

Garoppolo got one series against Kansas City last week, so it’ll be interesting to see if Shanahan expands the veteran’s snap count against what’s looking to be a solid Los Angeles defense or if Lance winds up seeing more than the approximate two quarters he played against the Chiefs last week.

Read More: Betting lines, odds for 49ers preseason game vs. Chargers

Lance, who took four sacks in his NFL preseason debut, will look to improve on that element of his game even if Shanahan holds back on the rookie’s ability to use his legs.

49ers vs. Chargers: How to watch, stream preseason Week 2

For fans looking to tune into Week 2 of the preseason and want to catch the 49ers and Chargers square off, the Bay Area’s KPIX 5 will be doing the television broadcasting honors for in-market options.

Additional in-market options include a special Niners app, available via the app store and linked by the team’s website.

Out-of-market fans can still tune in, too, either by watching NFL Network’s coverage of the game on your local television provider or by subscribing to fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial for first-time users.

49ers vs. Chargers: Preseason Week 2 live game thread

As Niner Noise usually does during the regular season, our staff of writers and contributors will regularly chat it up during the game on the comments section listed below.

We love to hear your takes on the game as its happening live! All you need to do is scroll down and speak your mind from the opening kickoff through to the final whistle.

Please just keep your comments “somewhat” respectable, of course. We’re all Niners fans here after all.

The 49ers and Chargers kick off on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET from SoFI Stadium, and be sure to follow along with us throughout the game right here.