The San Francisco 49ers have needed an offensive lineman to step up at guard and an undrafted rookie is doing just that through two preseason games.

It still feels like a fever dream or a practical joke, but Tom Brady is actually a part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. Brady is from Northern California and grew up a fan of the San Francisco 49ers.

The second preseason game versus the Las Vegas Raiders was more entertaining for the San Francisco 49ers than the first. Part of that is because the starters got a bit of action, but it's also because the 49ers had some players stand out.

The 49ers wisely have some key veterans, most prominently Nick Bosa, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams, on schedules designed to keep them fresh and out of the fray from time to time. Quarterback Brock Purdy is a leader in a more reserved, analytical way. Deommodore Lenoir is stepping up to push the secondary.

The injury-riddled 49ers do have some players worth watching in Saturday’s preseason visit to the Raiders after possible cameos by select starters.

Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty proved he could deliver hits and absorb them at the NFL level. He rushed for a bruising 33 yards and a touchdown on seven carries in Las Vegas’ 22-19 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday.

For the 49ers their health has become a greater concern than their preseason performance. They just need to make sure they have enough healthy bodies to keep their key starters out of harm's way. More than 20 players missed their preseason opener vs. the Denver Broncos with injuries, and that number could rise Saturday when they face the Raiders.

Second-year starting right guard Dominick Puni, one of the bright spots of an otherwise grim 2024 season for the 49ers, is expected to miss multiple weeks with a suspected PCL injury. It appears the injury occurred after he was rolled up on during Jake Moody’s first quarter field goal attempt.