The San Francisco 49ers emerged triumphant with a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in their preseason matchup held at Levi's Stadium on Sunday night. While several starters were rested, quarterback Brock Purdy made his first appearance of the offseason, gaining valuable in-game experience. However, the Saints opted to field their starting lineup for the entire first quarter, providing an intriguing clash between the two teams.

In his return to the field, Purdy faced a rough outing, completing just 2 out of 6 passes for a mere 11 yards. Playing with backup skill position players, Purdy struggled to find open receivers, facing challenges in making accurate passes. While he managed to navigate through reads, he occasionally made questionable decisions. Nevertheless, it's important to note that Purdy was playing without key pass-catchers such as Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Kyle Juszczyk. Additionally, the absence of offensive linemen Aaron Banks and Trent Williams further impacted Purdy's performance. Despite his struggles, it's important not to overanalyze his performance in a preseason game.

The 49ers' decision to expose Purdy to a challenging situation raises questions about their strategy. While it's beneficial to provide live reps and allow the quarterback to experience hits, it would have been wiser to play him alongside the starting pass-catchers for greater success. The value of his playing time should be carefully considered moving forward.

Looking at previous preseason games, it's unlikely that any significant offensive starters will see action in the team's upcoming third preseason match. Last week, Brandon Allen started the game, owning the entire first half, while Josh Dobbs took the field in the second half. Allen completed 7 of 13 passes for 98 yards, while Dobbs achieved 14 out of 20 completions for 146 yards and one interception. Throughout the offseason, Allen has been viewed as the favorite for the QB2 position, sharing reps with Dobbs among the backup players. In Sunday's game, Dobbs displayed stellar performance, leading the offense to score 13 points in the second quarter alone. Completing 12 out of 21 passes for 133 yards, Dobbs showcased accuracy and versatility, rushing three times for 25 yards and securing a touchdown.

Despite Allen's efforts, Sunday's game didn't yield significant results for the backup quarterback. While he completed 7 out of 10 passes for a mere 36 yards, Allen struggled to execute downfield passes, with his two drives stalling out despite favorable field positions.

Tanner Mordecai, the fourth quarterback in the depth chart, made his first appearance in the preseason and showcased promise. In his initial opportunity, he orchestrated a scoring drive, displaying excellent timing with four consecutive completions. Although the offense stalled afterward, resulting in a short field goal, Mordecai's performance left a positive impression. His second chance came towards the end of the game, allowing him to help seal the victory with kneeldowns.

Fifth-round rookie Jacob Cowing returned from an earlier hamstring injury and demonstrated his potential on Sunday. Leading the team with four catches for 51 yards, Cowing exhibited glimpses of his ability to separate and make key receptions. Additionally, he contributed 19 yards on an end-around, showcasing his versatility on the field.

Curtis Robinson continues to impress for the second consecutive week, making a strong case for a spot on the roster. Although he faces competition in the linebacker position, Robinson's solid performances with the top defense in base packages, combined with his experience as a special-teamer, make him a viable candidate for the team's plans moving forward.

Punter Pressley Harvin played a crucial role in dominating the field position game. With all four of his punts placing the Saints inside the 20-yard line, including three within the 10-yard line, Harvin's big leg and precision proved invaluable. Despite Mitch Wishnowsky securing a spot as the team's punter, Harvin's performance highlights his skills and potential in the NFL.

Meanwhile, defensive backs Ji'Ayir Brown and Renardo Green showcased their abilities on the field. Brown, starting alongside George Odum, displayed exceptional instincts, making a pivotal play by stopping Taysom Hill in the backfield for a loss. Renardo Green, a second-round rookie, impressed with his pass breakup and excellent coverage skills. As Green continues to demonstrate his capabilities, the 49ers may face a tough decision regarding his role.

The 49ers' victory over the Saints in the preseason game showcased the team's depth and potential. While Purdy's return had its challenges, the performances of Dobbs, Mordecai, Cowing, Robinson, Harvin, and the young defensive backs provided positive insights for the team's coaching staff. With the regular season drawing near, the 49ers face important decisions regarding their final roster composition.