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SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

How to watch 49ers v. Chargers Preseason game: TV channel, start time

The San Francisco 49ers wrap up their 2023 preseason slate with the LA Chargers coming to town Friday. Here's how to catch the action.

Watch: ESPN Insider Shares Updates On The Brandon Ayuk Saga, Brock Purdy's 2026 Outlook | 12 mins

After almost a month of training camp practices, the 49ers and the rest of the NFL are gearing up for the grand finale of the 2023 preseason.

The San Francisco 49ers will play host to quarterback Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers Friday, wrapping up their preseason schedule early. With the game being before the weekend slate, the Red & Gold  will have more than two weeks to rest & prepare for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.

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The final week of the preseason brought some unexpected drama to The Bay, with reports surfacing that the team has named Sam Darnold as the backup QB to Brock Purdy this season. The move leaves former third overall pick Trey Lance in limbo, with both the team & player “exploring options” for his future. 

At the end of the day though, the 49ers would like to keep both backups on the roster if they could, but will only do so if its right for the young gunslinger.

“I mean, it was a hell of a battle. They were neck and neck for a long time but just really over these last ten days, we felt Sam started to separate himself,” coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR Wednesday. “We felt he did it in practice consistently and he’s been getting better each day. Trey made it real tight and made it tough. It wasn’t an easy decision for us.”

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What time does the preseason game start?

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PST on Friday, Aug. 25th, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Who’s starting?

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is expected to start the team’s third preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Purdy and the rest of the starters will likley play one to two series Friday night, with Kyle Shanahan looking to get his squad well-tuned before Week 1.

Newly-appointed backup Sam Darnold will play the rest of the first half of Friday’s contest, while Trey Lance will likely play some of the second half. Brandon Allen could also see some action against the Chargers.

This rotation follows suit with the team’s decision to make Darnold the backup QB this season. Wanting to get the backup more reps, the former USC standout should see the field for the majority of the game. He had a solid outing Week 2 of the preseason, throwing 109 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

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Darnold and the rest of the 49ers backups will look to build off that Friday, hoping to send LA back home with a loss.

Where can I watch the game?

The game will air live locally on CBS 13, while it will also air nationally on NFL Network.

How to stream 49ers v. Chargers online

Live stream: Fubo, NFL+

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Amiliano Fragoso San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

Amiliano "Amil" Fragoso is our newest staff writer/editor for Sactown Sports 1140, focusing on the NFL. Amil recently moved back home to Sacramento after spending the last four years in Phoenix getting his degree from the Walter Cronkite School of… Read more

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