49ers vs. Titans Players of the Game: Dobbs, Mustapha lead the way

The San Francisco 49ers opened the preseason with a spirited effort in Nashville, falling to the Tennessee Titans 17-13. Despite the loss, the 49ers provided some exciting moments as key depth pieces for the 2024-2025 season shined. Offseason acquisition Joshua Dobbs energized the offense at the quarterback position, rookie safety Malik Mustapha delivered a devastating tackle for a key turnover on downs, and Jordan Mason set the tone with some electric first-quarter runs. Let's examine who shined the brightest as we recap the highlights from the first football action of the 2024 season.

QB Joshua Dobbs

Dobbs, an NFL journeyman who played for 3 NFL teams last season, wasted no time in showing off his starting-caliber skills. The "Passtronaut" targeted the intermediate and deep zones early and often, finishing 14 of 20 for 146 yards and an interception. Dobbs made the offensive play of the game on a red zone scramble, escaping from the clutches of a Titans defender and sprinting to the sideline for a thrilling spin-in touchdown.

Though Dobbs failed to convert a pair of would-be go-ahead drives in the fourth quarter, he acquitted himself well in those situations. His only negative plays came when he suffered a sack while attempting to navigate heavy pressure on a fourth-down pass, and a Hail Mary interception to end the game as the 49ers ran out of time. After the level of play he put up in the preseason opener, Dobbs should be considered a strong favorite to back up QB Brock Purdy heading into next week.

RB Jordan Mason

While Dobbs was the star of the second half, Jordan Mason took home that crown for the offense in the first half. Mason dominated the first drive, rushing 6 times for 34 yards (5.7 yard average) and a touchdown. He dropped the hammer on the very first play of the game, dragging multiple defenders and falling forward for a first down that set the tone for an easy offensive score. As the 49ers running back room fills up with backup candidates behind All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey, Mason's strong start to the season gives him an edge to make the final cut.

S Malik Mustapha

For large parts of the game, the 49ers' defense struggled to contain an aggressive Titans front. Tennessee ran the ball at will and scored touchdowns in each of their first two drives, and Malik Mustapha shared his part in those struggles. But at the end of the Titans' third drive, with the home team threatening to drive in their third consecutive score, Mustapha came up big.

The tackle turned the tide of the game, allowing the 49ers to recover and head into halftime with just a one-score deficit. Mustapha, a fourth-round draft pick out of Wake Forest this year, has drawn eyes this training camp as a potential starting safety while Pro Bowler Talanoa Hufanga rehabs from last year's ACL injury. While he still has some ways to go before leapfrogging Ji'Ayir Brown and George Odum, he made a strong statement today amidst a plethora of impressive defensive performances.

Honorable Mentions

LB Tatum Bethune - 8 tackles (5 solo), 1 TFL
LB Dee Winters - 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 TFL
DL Kalia Davis - 2 tackles (2 solo), 2 TFL, 1 sack
P Pressley Harvin III - 5 punts, 43.2 average, 61 long