Keion White makes immediate impact in 49ers’ preseason finale at Raiders

LAS VEGAS – General manager John Lynch, casually dressed in sweats like most 49ers’ mainstays, strolled the sideline behind coach Kyle Shanahan in Thursday night’s 18-12, preseason-closing win over the host Raiders.

Did Lynch and Shanahan even need a last chance to evaluate their crew before Sunday’s 53-man roster deadline? A 9-9 draw through three quarters hardly amplified regular-season form.

Regardless, the 49ers went through the proper motions, defensive lineman Keion White made star-caliber plays, and understudies stated their case for a spot on next Wednesday’s charter flight to Melbourne, Australia, where the regular season opens against the Los Angeles Rams (Sept. 10, 5:35 p.m. PT).

This was the 49ers’ fourth annual preseason visit to the Raiders’ luxury garage, though it certainly didn’t ooze high-stakes drama (see: 2023 season’s Super Bowl loss) or much rivalry hatred between the former Bay Area neighbors.

Nor could it compare to the atmosphere surrounding the 49ers’ preseason finale a decade earlier, when Colin Kaepernick first knelt on the sideline during the national anthem to protest social inequality and police misconduct.

“I like when the season starts. The preseason gets a little bit old and I like when it gets real,” Shanahan said. “It’s going to get real — real fast.”

Here is what jumped out inside the Raiders’ climate-friendly stadium, away from the 109-degree temperature outside:

WHITE HOT

If there was one position that commanded attention, it was defensive line, and one potential Week 1 starter certainly made an impact: White, who missed a bulk of training camp with an Aug. 1 adductor injury.

Although he started some at defensive end after last season’s trade from the New England Patriots, White reminded everyone of his versatility to play inside. That is where he lined up for a third-down run stop on the Raiders’ opening series (field goal), and that is where White burst up the middle on a third-down sack of rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza in the second quarter.

“I didn’t want to play him too long but he’s been so behind, just getting a late start in camp,” Shanahan said. “We were going to take him out a series before and he said, ‘Coach, I’m a little rusty. Let me get a little more time in.’ He got one more drive and he got a sack.”

White wasn’t the only starting-caliber defensive lineman in action. Second-year defensive tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West also suited up and played into the second half. Roster-bubble pass rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo had a second-quarter sack.

That unit did not have Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams (Physically Unable to Perform list), Osa Odighizwua, and Sam Okuayinonu. Prior to kickoff, 2025 Raiders camp prospect Jah Joyner became the eighth defensive end signed since training camp opened; Victor Dimukeje was placed on Injured Reserve.

MONEY KICKER

Eddy Piñeiro made all six of his field-goal attempts, including go-ahead kicks from 59 and 51 yards in the fourth quarter, then a 54-yarder with eight seconds remaining. He earlier connected from 24, 25 and 48 yards.

“He’s the man. He’s so good. He’s chill. He just goes out and rips it,” Jones said. “He’s got a special, like, he-doesn’t-care trait where he’s just going to go rip it and I respect that about him.”

Piñeiro was rewarded with a three-year contract in the spring after making 31-of-32 field goals last season, missing only on a 64-yard attempt off an Indianapolis crossbar to close the first half of a Dec. 22 win.

CORNERBACK WATCH

Former Raiders cornerback Jack Jones not only had tackles on the game’s opening two snaps, he nearly intercepted Kirk Cousins’ first pass. Jones started along with Darrell Lutter while none of last year’s starting cornerback suited up, those being Deommodore Lenoir (shoulder), Renardo Green (hamstring), and nickel back Upton Stout (hip flexor).

Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock left with a first-quarter shoulder injury to end what’s been a solid training camp and preseason by the fourth-round pick.

OH LOOK, AN INTERCEPTION

The 49ers’ first interception this preseason came from linebacker Tatum Bethune, who nabbed No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza’s second pass of the game. It came on a high throw that cleared linebacker Jalen Graham before ricocheting off Jalen Nailor’s hands and then Darrell Luter Jr.’s to Bethune. Graham, by the way, hit Mendoza on his first pass, a 6-yard completion to Nailor.

QUARTERBACK CREW

Mac Jones started at quarterback and produced one first down through three series. He completed just 1-of-5 passes, connecting only with Brayden Willis on a 7-yard catch.

“I’m just happy for my guys. A lot of young guys got to play today,” Jones said. “It’s my sixth year and I’m glad I got out there and got some reps.”

Jones played 25 snaps and was 6-of-13 for 89 yards in last Thursday’s preseason win at the Los Angeles Chargers, in which Brock Purdy played the first 12 snaps for his only preseason action.

Adrian Martinez replaced Jones and totaled as many first-half rushing yards as passing yards (seven). Martinez had a third-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Hayden Rucci nullified by a Jordan James’ penalty (cut block).

RUNNING BACK ROTATION

Jordan James, sidelined most of camp by a rib injury, made his preseason debut with 35 rushing yards, including 29 first-half yards. James had a second-effort, 17-yard run to the Raiders’ 9-yard line, setting up a game-tying field goal before halftime. James also had a 20-yard catch in the first half.

Rookie Kaelon Black started in the backfield, totaling 28 yards on four carries in the first half after last Thursday’s 33-yard debut. Khalil Herbert had 39 yards on eight carries.

STARTING UNITS

On offense, the 49ers started Jones, Black, Willis, tight end Hayden Rucci, left tackle Enrique Cruz Jr., left guard Carver Willis, center Drake Nugent, right guard Connor Colby, right tackle Brandon Parker, and wide receivers Jordan Watkins and Malik Turner.

Their defensive starters: White, Collins, West and Oronokwo on the line; Bethune, Graham and Jaden Dugger at linebacker; Jones and Luter at cornerback; Ashtyn Davis and Jalen Stroman at safety.

EXTRA POINTS

Jordan Watkins caught 4-of-8 targets for 64 yards, had three carries for 27 yards, two kick returns for 48 yards, and two punt returns for 14 yards. He looked late on Jones’ initial third-down bomb that fell incomplete down the right sideline. … Willis, who started at fullback and is a tight end by trade, was ruled out in the third quarter with a concussion. … Graham cleared a concussion evaluation. … The 49ers forced the Raiders’ first punt thanks to Luter’s open-field tackle and pass breakups by Graham and Siran Neal. … Rucci caught a fourth-and-1 conversion pass from Adrian Martinez for a 10-yard gain to the Raiders’ 36, followed by James’ second-effort, 17-yard run. … Davis, Dugger and West missed multiple tackles, but Dugger did have some big hits, including a sideline shot on Mendoza on a third-down incompletion. … The Raiders’ halftime ceremony celebrated the 50th anniversary of their first Super Bowl-winning team, coached by the late John Madden. … Dolly Parton, a day after her death at age 80, was memorialized with a pregame moment of silence and several of her songs were played during breaks in the game. … The Raiders also memorialized Bay Area sportswriter and long-time Raiders reporter Mike Wagaman with flowers and a picture in the press box. Wagaman passed away this month at age 59.