Chargers throttled by 49ers in preseason game: Recap of LA's loss

The Chargers suffered a tough reality check at SoFi Stadium, falling 41-17 to the 49ers in their second preseason matchup.

Here is our recap of Thursday's game:

The Chargers' coverage unit gave up an 83-yard punt return touchdown to 49ers wide receiver Jacob Cowing, followed closely by a seven-yard rushing score from running back Sincere McCormick. The quick sequence of breakdowns put the Bolts in a huge hole.

• LB Junior Colson: Interception
• CB Rodney Shelley: 2 passes defended
• SAF Devin Grant: INT

• Head coach Jim Harbaugh stood firm by his pregame promise: the starters were scheduled for exactly one series, and one series only. Ultimately, quarterback Justin Herbert’s first live-game exposure lasted a mere three snaps before the unit went three-and-out and trotted back to the sideline. Herbert completed a single nine-yard pass but missed wide receiver Ladd McConkey on third down
• Quarterback Trey Lance relieved Herbert against his former team and showed off his athleticism, turning a collapsing pocket into a 37-yard run to set up a field goal. As a passer, Lance finished 10-of-16 for 76 yards.
• Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei found the going much tougher this week after his solid opener last week. Despite a garbage-time passing touchdown, Uiagalelei completed only seven passes on 15 attempts for 80 yards.
• Largely due to the inability to generate any push or create holes up front, Chargers running backs combined for 24 yards on 16 carries.
• The offense was plagued by multiple procedural penalties that wiped away some of the best gains of the first half. These mental lapses consistently put the offense in unfavorable behind-the-chains situations, contributing heavily to a 2-for-14 third-down conversion rate.
• Defensively, linebacker Junior Colson's pick-six was a bright spot, as he picked up where he left off after a solid performance last week. Colson is vying for a roster spot alongside Del'Shawn Phillips, and one more dominant outing could land him on the final 53.
• The Bolts' run defense and tackling was undisciplined all night, ultimately surrendering 146 rushing yards (4.1 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
• Cornerback Rodney Shelley was targeted quite a bit in this game, but managed to break up two passes. Shelley has raised eyebrows this summer and is currently pushing for one of the final spots.
• There wasn't an edge rusher who pulled ahead for the fifth spot, but I was intrigued by what I saw from Andre Carter II, who the Chargers signed before the preseason. Carter flashed as a pass rusher.
• Special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken will have plenty of film to correct this week after the coverage unit allowed the explosive 83-yard touchdown return to Cowing. Returner Devonte Ross also fumbled an ensuing kickoff, setting up an easy 49ers score.

The Chargers will head back to the drawing board and the practice field to clean up these execution errors before wrapping up the exhibition season and finalizing their 53-man roster next Thursday, August 27, against the Rams at 7:00 pm PT.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers throttled by 49ers in preseason game: Recap of LA's loss