The San Francisco 49ers played the Tennessee Titans in both teams’ preseason openers on Thursday night, with the Titans coming out on top by a final score of who cares; it’s the first preseason game.
What we are here to take away is who the top performers were in a game where there are plenty of 49ers players who are vying to make this roster. Some players stood out (see the three players below), while others didn’t help their case.
These are the three players who stood out the most on Thursday night for the 49ers’ first dress rehearsal of the 2026 season:
3rd Star – LB Jaden Dugger
Multiple players on defense were considered to earn a star on Thursday. Ephesians Prysock for his end zone pass breakup against first-round pick Carnell Tate in the first quarter. Or even Gracen Halton for bullying the freshly paid Peter Skoronski for a sack, which was negated by a Jakob Robinson holding in the secondary. But no player on the 49ers defense capitalized on their training camp hype like Dugger.
Entrenched in a battle against Nick Martin for the SAM linebacker spot, Dugger made a quick and solid first impression. As with most of the 49ers starters, Dugger didn’t play too long, resulting in just a pair of tackles, but No. 53 was certainly noticeable.
On Tennessee’s second play from scrimmage, Cam Ward looked to scramble, but Dugger wouldn’t allow it. After dropping back about ten yards off the line of scrimmage, Dugger made an instantaneous read and broke towards the quarterback with a great pursuit and met Ward at the 24-yard line, holding the play for just a two-yard gain. Dugger followed up with a great arm tackle on the Titans’ next drive to hold a Tyjae Spears run to just four yards.
It was a quick appearance from Dugger in his first NFL game time, but an effective one from the rookie as he looks to position himself as a starter on the San Francisco defense.
2nd Star – QB Kurtis Rourke
If Kurtis Rourke can continue to look as good as he did on Thursday night, Mac Jones could be an expendable piece as we get closer to the trade deadline.
Rourke looked every part of an NFL quarterback in his first look since the 49ers drafted him in 2025. The quarterback impressed while playing just three drives (a rib injury ended his night prematurely), completing 12-of-14 passes for 101 yards.
What impressed most about Rourke in his debut was his ability to keep plays alive with his legs and keep his eyes upfield. Facing an early fourth down on the 49ers’ opening drive, the pocket collapsed on Rourke pretty quickly. But instead of panic, Rourke was able to escape the grasp of Cody Barton to avoid the sack, then remove himself from the traffic, and move forward for a gain of six to extend the drive.
On San Francisco’s next drive, Rourke was able to keep the play alive with his legs, scrambling to his right, keeping his eyes downfield. He found Patrick Taylor in the end zone in about the same spot Brock Purdy hit Jake Tonges last season in Week 1 in Seattle. However, unlike Tonges, Taylor couldn’t keep both feet in bounds, resulting in an incomplete pass, but still a good rep on film for Rourke.
Rourke is in a battle with Adrian Martinez for the third quarterback spot on the roster, and if Rourke wasn’t ahead of Martinez before Thursday, he definitely created some distance with his game against the Titans.
1st Star – WR De’Zhaun Stribling
I think we’ll see Stribling take another snap in the preseason. We have collected all the information we need on him.
Stribling was far and away the 49ers’ most impressive player on Thursday night, hauling in seven catches for 63 yards, leading all pass-catchers. It was obvious the offensive game plan was centered around Stribling, with Rourke’s first pass targeting the 49ers’ first selection of the 2026 draft.
Things would only get more impressive from there for Stribling. His third reception of the game would be Jauan Jennings-esque, hanging on to a pass with a Titans defender draped all over him right at the marker for a first down.
Stribling would also be responsible for the 49ers’ longest play from scrimmage on a play that should tell 49ers fans he is NFL-ready. Facing a third-and-5, Rourke threw a beautiful back shoulder pass on a go route run by the receiver. Stribling made an incredible adjustment to the ball, contorting his body to haul in the pass and keep both feet in bounds. When it was all said and done, it was a gain of 32.
Eight plays later, the 49ers would find the end zone for their lone touchdown on the night.
Stribling was far and away the best player red and gold on Thursday night. Four months ago the conversation surrounding Stribling was about if the 49ers reached too far for him. Now it’s about just how high his ceiling is.