Preseason concluded with a 30-16 victory while roster cuts loom and the regular-season opener approaches. Jordan Elliott disrupted Chargers backups and strengthened his case for a roster spot. Thomas Morstead boomed a 51-yard punt, suggesting an upgrade at punter. Tanner Mordecai sparked the offense and projects as a viable practice-squad quarterback. Nick Martin forced a fumble, made a key run stop, and showed improvement throughout training camp. Jeff Wilson Jr. looked effective in limited carries. Kicker Jake Moody missed another kick, leaving kicking reliability an unresolved issue heading into the season.
It's hardly ideal that Elliott was playing on Saturday, but if you're a veteran being asked to play serious snaps in a third preseason game, you might as well make flash plays. Elliott was a game-wrecker in the middle against the Chargers' second and third-string offensive lines. If he was on the roster bubble, he should have played his way off it Saturday.
He played snaps from scrimmage in the second half (it seems as if first-string special-teams players weren't asked to go double duty in the first half) and immediately forced a fumble. He also had a great run stop in the backfield. In short, he popped. There are still countless questions bout the rookie linebacker, but there's no denying that he brings some boom with the bust and has improved throughout training camp. It's an encouraging trajectory.
His 51-yard punt, his fourth amid eight total punts in the first quarter, was such a beauty that returner Luke Grimm (nominative determinism with his chances to make the roster) couldn't handle it. The Niners certainly upgraded at punter this offseason. Tanner Mordecai, QB At least one No. 4 had a good game. The ball started moving when he came in for the injured Connor Bradley. Neither of the quarterbacks we saw Saturday will make the regular-season roster, but Mordecai would be a good practice-squad option for the Niners.
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