The San Francisco 49ers played the Tennessee Titans in both teams’ first preseason games on Thursday night, with the Titans winning by a who-cares final score; It’s the first preseason game. What we’re here to learn is who the best players were in a game where there are a lot of 49ers players vying to make this roster. Some players stood out (see the three players below), while others didn’t help their case. Here are the three players who stood out the most Thursday night for the 49ers’ first dress rehearsal of the 2026 season: Third Star: LB Jaden Dugger Several players on defense were considered to earn a star on Thursday. Efesios Prysock for his pass breakup in the end zone against first-round pick Carnell Tate in the first quarter. Or even Gracen Halton for bullying newly paid Peter Skoronski into a sack, which was denied by Jakob Robinson in the secondary. But no player on the 49ers defense took advantage of the excitement of training camp like Dugger. Locked in a battle against Nick Martin for the SAM linebacker job, Dugger made a quick and solid first impression. As with most 49ers starters, Dugger didn’t get much playing time, resulting in just a pair of tackles, but No. 53 was certainly notable. On Tennessee’s second play from scrimmage, Cam Ward tried to fight back, but Dugger wouldn’t let him. After falling back about ten yards from the line of scrimmage, Dugger made an instant read and headed toward the quarterback with a big chase and found Ward at the 24-yard line, holding the play for a gain of just two yards. Dugger followed with a big arm tackle on the Titans’ next drive to hold a Tyjae Spears run to just four yards. It was a quick appearance by Dugger in his first playing time in the NFL, but an effective one by the rookie as he looks to establish himself as a starter on San Francisco’s defense. Second star: QB Kurtis Rourke If Kurtis Rourke can continue to look as good as he did 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 series (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 on the field. Facing a fourth down on the 49ers’ first drive, the bag came down on Rourke fairly quickly. But instead of panicking, Rourke was able to escape the clutches of Cody Barton to avoid capture, then pull out of traffic and advance to gain six points to extend the lead. On San Francisco’s next drive, Rourke was able to keep the play alive with his legs, climbing to his right, keeping his eyes down the field. He found Patrick Taylor in the end zone, roughly the same spot Brock Purdy hit Jake Tonges last season in Week 1 in Seattle. However, unlike Tonges, Taylor was unable to keep both feet in bounds, resulting in an incomplete pass, but it’s still a good representation 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 play against the Titans. First star: WR De’Zhaun Stribling I don’t think we’ll see Stribling take another snap in the preseason. We have collected all the information we need about him. Stribling was by far the 49ers’ most impressive player Thursday night, hauling in seven catches for 63 yards, leading all pass catchers. It was obvious that the offensive game plan was centered around Stribling, with Rourke’s first pass directed at the 49ers’ top pick in the 2026 draft. Things would only get more impressive from there for Stribling. His third catch of the game would be Jauan Jennings-style, latching on to a pass with a Titans defender on him right on the scoreboard 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’s ready for the NFL. Facing a third-and-5, Rourke threw a beautiful back-shoulder pass on a forward route run by the receiver. Stribling made an incredible adjustment to the ball, contorting his body to catch the pass and keep both feet infield. When all was said and done, it was a gain of 32. Eight plays later, the 49ers would find the end zone for their only touchdown of the night. Stribling was by far the best red and gold player on Thursday night. Four months ago, the conversation around Stribling was whether the 49ers were going too far for him. Now it’s about how high your ceiling is.
