Chargers vs. 49ers: First-half highlights, notes from preseason finale

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers find themselves locked in at a 13-7 score game in favor of the Bolts. Here are some tidbits and highlights from the first half.

As something of a surprise, the San Francisco 49ers elected to give linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive end Solomon Thomas a start in the team's final preseason bout of 2018 Thursday night. Foster, who suffered a concussion earlier in the preseason, has cleared the NFL's protocol on head injuries, which is good. But the Niners' defensive star early on was Thomas, who had two tackles, both of which were for a loss.

Like this one:

Foster also added two tackles, one of which was for a loss:

San Francisco didn't get much going on its first offensive drive, however, after the defense gave up an opening Chargers field goal. In his only drive of the game, quarterback C.J. Beathard didn't attempt a pass but took a sack by Los Angeles EDGE Uchenna Nwosu, who beat 49ers left tackle Darrell Williams Jr.

Williams gave up another sack on No. 3 quarterback Nick Mullens, who relieved Beathard after his first and only offensive drive. Williams' chances to make the 53-man roster were slim, at best, so tonight's effort won't help matters much.

Neither will Mullens tripping again, which led to a recovered fumble by the Chargers. They scored three points off the turnover to go up 6-0.

Meanwhile, 49ers defenders Sheldon Day, D.J. Jones and Ronald Blair had strong first halves. Day and Jones are locks to make the roster, although Blair is certainly on the bubble. Despite a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty early in the game, Blair's efforts resulted in a three-tackle, one-sack performance -- necessary in ensuring a chance at a roster spot.

San Francisco's offense struggled to get much rhythm, however, and was still in negative yardage midway through the second quarter. Tight end Cole Hikutini, who is battling for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, had more drop issues. But those didn't stop Mullens from a four-yard zone-read touchdown scamper at the 5:54 mark of the second quarter.

L.A. added a late touchdown to take the 13-7 lead -- a four-yard rush by Chargers running back Terrell Watson as time expired.

Overall, the Niners managed just 57 yards of offense over the first half, compared to 111 mustered by the Chargers. It's preseason, though, so those numbers are about as important as preseason win-loss records.