SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Derek Carr and the New Orleans starting offense finally got going with an efficient 95-yard touchdown drive against San Francisco's backup defenders but the 49ers beat the Saints 16-10 on Sunday night. Joshua Dobbs ran for a TD and Jake Moody kicked three field goals for the 49ers, who rested most of their front-line players other than quarterback Brock Purdy.
The Niners were missing three starting offensive linemen, their top four receivers, their top three running backs, All-Pro tight end George Kittle and All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk either because of injuries, contract disputes or rest. That left Purdy playing his three series with a collection of mostly backups. The results weren't good as the Niners generated one first down and had two three-and-outs.
Purdy went 2 for 6 for 11 yards and was lucky to avoid an interception when he threw a ball up for grabs that backup tight end Eric Saubert broke up for an incomplete pass. Carr and the Saints' starting offense also started slowly with back-to-back three-and-outs against mostly backup defenders for San Francisco before putting together their first successful drive of the preseason. The offensive line opened up holes for the running game and Carr completed 5 of 6 passes for 42 yards, including a 7-yarder to rookie Bub Means on a fourth-and-5.
Taysom Hill capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down. Carr finished the night 7 for 9 for 47 yards and is now 9 for 15 for 59 yards in.