Rookie receiver Stribling leads 49ers in preseason debut as Titans win 19-13

San Francisco rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling caught seven passes for 63 yards, including a 32-yard reception, in the 49ers' 19-13 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday. The Titans never trailed, and the 49ers used the game to evaluate younger players while most regular-season starters rested.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan, who is still recovering from a concussion sustained in a July car accident, remained on the sideline and delegated play-calling to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. The team’s focus was on assessing depth-chart candidates.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a seventh-round pick who underwent ACL reconstruction before the draft, completed 12 of 14 passes for 101 yards before exiting in the second quarter with a rib injury. He had led a 68-yard, 11-play drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by running back Patrick Taylor Jr.

Defensive prospects also saw significant snaps. Fourth-round defensive tackle Gracen Halton recorded three tackles and a sack that was called back for a penalty, while linebacker Jaden Dugger started at the “fever backer” position and made several plays in the first half.

The Titans, coached by former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in his first season, posted the win after a 3-14 record the previous year.