The 49ers host the Cowboys on Sunday night in their biggest test so far this season.
San Francisco has beaten Dallas in each of the last two postseasons, and they are two of the favorites to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LVIII next February in Las Vegas.
Here is our live blog from the game:
1Q, 11:10 – 49ers 7, Cowboys 0: Brock Purdy found George Kittle on a deep cross for the tight end’s first touchdown of the 2023 season. Purdy was 4-of-4 on the opening drive, and the Dallas defense assisted the 49ers with two penalties for 20 yards, then again jumped offside on the PAT.
Below are our notes from pregame.
SANTA CLARA — Two hours before kickoff, Trey Lance was back on the field at Levi’s Stadium, throwing warmup passes as the Cowboys’ No. 3 quarterback, and doing so from about the same spot where he sustained a fractured ankle in last season’s home opener.
Then it was reunion time.
Once Lance was done throwing, he visited at the midfield logo with several ex-teammates, including 49ers backups Sam Darnold and Brandon Allen, before Brock Purdy emerged for his warmups and stopped for a minute-long chat with Lance.
Lance is officially the Cowboys’ No. 3, emergency quarterback behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, as has been the case throughout the season for Dallas (3-1).
GREGORY AMONG INACTIVES
Unlike Christian McCaffrey suiting up two days after his official trade to the 49ers a year ago, pass rusher Randy Gregory is not being rushed into action following his acquisition Friday from the Denver Broncos, as expected.
Gregory is among the 49ers’ deactivated players for tonight’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, Gregory’s initial team from 2015-21 before he joined the Broncos.
Also out for the 49ers are running back Elijah Mitchell (knee), tight end Jalen Graham, defensive tackle Kalia Davis, offensive lineman Nick Zakelj, tight end Brayden Willis and Allen, the No. 3 quarterback.
Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano (concussion) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shin) are cleared to return. This is Mitchell’s second game out, so McCaffrey’s backups at running back are Jordan Mason and Ty Davis-Price, the latter of whom has not had a carry this season.
The 49ers elevated Austin Bryant from the practice squad to add depth on the defensive line, which saw Kerry Hyder Jr. released in Friday’s corresponding roster move. Bryant also came up for the season-opening win at Pittsburgh, delivering one pressure and one hurry in 16 snaps.
Also summoned from the practice squad Saturday was cornerback Kendall Sheffield, who also came up a week ago and played well on special teams (16 snaps) and had three tackles on defense (11 snaps).
McCAFFREY LOSES LEAD, FOR NOW
For the first time this season, McCaffrey fell out of the NFL’s lead in rushing, albeit before kickoff against the Cowboys.
The Miami Dolphins’ Devon Achane ran for 151 yards Sunday, pushing his season total to 460 yards — one more than McCaffrey’s production in the 49ers’ 4-0 start. Achane has just 38 carries (to McCaffrey’s 80) and has five rushing touchdowns in a Dolphins backfield he shares with ex-49er Raheem Mostert, who on Sunday scored his seventh rushing touchdown this year, one better than McCaffrey.
McCaffrey has scored in a franchise-record 13 consecutive games.
Third among the NFL’s rushing leaders is the Indianapolis Colts’ Zack Moss, whose 165 yards in their win Sunday pushed his season total to 445; Jonathan Taylor had 18 yards in a six-carry season debut.
COWBOYS’ INACTIVES
Deactivated by the Cowboys were safety Israel Mukuamu, cornerback Eric Scott, offensive tackle Asim Richards, wide receiver Jalen Brooks, tight end Peyton Hendershot and former San Jose State defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko.
Dallas will have for the first time this season its preferred five offensive linemen in the starting lineup, including the return of left tackle Tyron Smith from a two-game absence.