How to watch Raiders vs 49ers in the USA

Raiders vs 49ers will be televised locally on FOX5 Las Vegas. For streaming, Fubo and NFL+ are the main options for viewers watching the game outside the local broadcast market, as the services carries live out-of-market preseason games.

Can I watch Raiders vs 49ers for free?

Yes, eligible viewers can watch Raiders vs 49ers for free with Fubo‘s 5-day free trial. The platform’s official listing for the game shows the matchup live on NFL Network and currently offers a “Try for free” option.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

Raiders vs. 49ers is the final preseason game for both teams, making Thursday’s matchup an important final audition before the regular season. Las Vegas enters the game after a 22-20 comeback win over Houston, while San Francisco dominated the Chargers 41-17 in Week 2.

With the preseason ending, the focus now shifts from results to the players trying to secure their places on the 53-man roster. For the Raiders, one of the biggest storylines remains the quarterback competition between Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Head coach Klint Kubiak had not yet named his starter after the Houston game, keeping the battle open with one preseason opportunity remaining. Mendoza struggled against the Texans, throwing a pick-six and finishing 8-of-15 for 86 yards, while Cousins did not play.

San Francisco, meanwhile, is coming off its most convincing preseason performance. The 49ers scored 41 points against the Chargers, with Jacob Cowing returning a punt 83 yards for a touchdown and the team producing an explosive offensive display.

Brock Purdy made his preseason debut in that game and played only one series, completing 4 of 6 passes for 29 yards, so his workload against Las Vegas will be one of the key questions to follow.

What time is the Raiders vs 49ers match?

The Raiders vs 49ers match kicks off on Thursday, August 27, at 8:00 PM ET. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and is the final preseason game for both teams. The Raiders’ official schedule lists a 5:00 PM PT kickoff.

• Eastern Time: 8:00 PM
• Central Time: 7:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 6:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 5:00 PM

For the Raiders, Kirk Cousins has played exactly one drive all preseason, with Fernando Mendoza and Aidan O’Connell taking the workload. That might happen again vs. 49ers, and maybe even Jacob Clark could see some snaps.

As for the 49ers, Brock Purdy played the first drive last week, and he might do the same tonight vs Raiders. However, with stars like George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and Christian Kirk all banged up, head coach Kyle Shanahan might limit his QB to not risk an injury.

Purdy and Mendoza face two very different situations

Purdy is undoubtedly the 49ers starting quarterback. However, he does have a premium backup in Mac Jones. In fact, Jones was very good last season when Purdy was injured. Still, Purdy doesn’t want to feel added pressure and should not try to risk himself much.

As for Mendoza, he is in the middle of a fight with Kirk Cousins over the Raiders’ QB1 spot. He is apparently losing that battle, but strong showings paired with Cousins form could perfectly give him a chance to leapfrog the veteran at any point in the season.

NFL Preseason Week 3 means a lot for some players

While some, like star QBs or even star players elsewhere, see the last preseason game as the last hurdle to avoid injuries, others see this game as the last chance to earn a spot on the 53-man final roster.

Late-round picks, undrafted free agents, veterans on a minimum contract and practice squad players all seek a spot to remain on the team, so the intensity is quite high for some players in these games.

However, McCaffrey clarified to the media it is all part of a plan to stay healthy. “When you don’t practice, the way the media works now it’s a firestorm, but this was part of the plan from the jump was to ramp up pretty big, get 9 or 10 practices in, kind of come back down and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration. I feel great. I feel fresh and it’s good to be back out there,” McCaffrey said.

Hence, the 49ers fans can rest easy, knowing their most important player is all good and actually putting regimes together to stay healthy and available. McCaffrey is undoubtedly the most outstanding offensive player on the roster.

Why is McCaffrey doing this plan?

Running backs tend to suffer quite a lot of injuries, especially when they age and McCaffrey, who has an injury history of his own, is already 30 years old. However, to be fair, he has changed lots of stuff about his career that have made him healthier in recent days.

Last season, McCaffrey avoided the injury plague on the Niners and played 17 games and led the NFL in touches for the third time in his career. If he can keep up his rhythm, he will once again be a key player.

49ers RB depth chart

Knock on wood, but if McCaffrey goes down, the 49ers will have to use another running backs to replace him. Now, on the good side, head coach Kyle Shanahan has proven that any running back can be good with him, just not as elite as McCaffrey.

• Christian McCaffrey
• Jordan James
• Kaelon Black
• Isaac Guerendo
• Sincere McCormick
• Khalil Herbert

The squad had been awaiting the practice return of star playmakers Kittle and McCaffrey. As both players rejoined the 49ers’ practice on Sunday, it led to what reporter David Lombardi called the best practice session of training camp. Lombardi took to social media to state that Sunday featured high intensity in every aspect, noting how Kittle and McCaffrey “fueled it.”

“Best 49ers’ practice of training camp and effectively the last one since we almost certainly won’t see 1-on-1s anymore and Tuesday’s session will be well into ‘dress rehearsal’ week,” Lombardi wrote on X. “But true intensity both ways — Kittle and CMC returns fueled it — with big plays and yelling back and forth.”

What McCaffrey, Kittle did in training

In terms of usage for both stars, the star tight end did not take part in team drills, but the running back did, according to Jennifer Lee Chan. “Very spirited 49ers practice on Sunday,” Lee Chan wrote. “While George Kittle did not participate in team drills, Christian McCaffrey did.”

Great atmosphere surrounds the 49ers

What became the top workout of the offseason generated significant chatter across social media, highlighting a strong environment across the roster that could prove key for the NFL season.

Reporter Cam Inman noted that the practice was “entertaining,” citing major highlights like quarterback Brock Purdy taunting linebacker Fred Warner following a completion.

“Entertaining 49ers practice: *McCaffrey 4 carries (3 in 5-snap span)… *Purdy taunts Warner after completion to Deebo… *Warner earlier clobbered Black on PBU… *Mike Evans left, seems precautionary again… *[DeZhaun] Stribling, [Deommodore] Lenoir no-contact participants… *[Upton] Stout INT BP… *No [Nick] Bosa, Height,” Inman wrote.

While Kittle has been progressing after tearing his Achilles in January, McCaffrey has been dealing with leg tightness. It remains to be seen when both Kittle and McCaffrey will return fully and be ready for San Francisco when the squad opens the season on Sept. 10 against the Rams.

Per NFL insider Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, Kittle could eye a Week 1 return, but it all depends on how the 49ers approach the matter. “This gives him a chance to play in Week 1 vs. the Rams in Australia, though there is still a chance the team plays it safe considering the travel.”

The 49ers already lost wideout Ricky Pearsall for the season, and have Mike Evans dealing with some tightness, as well as running back Christian McCaffrey. Hence, Kittle‘s addition could be a breath of fresh air for the offense.

Kittle is crucial for this offense

Kittle is not only one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL, but also one of the best blockers. For a head coach like Kyle Shanahan, who loves to run the football, having a premier pass-catcher that also helps opening holes for the backs is just too good to be true.

Kittle is an integral part of this team as a leader too. And, of course, his production is very good. The 7x Pro Bowler had 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns last season in only 11 games before getting injured.

The 49ers still have a very good TE2 if they want to be careful

Due to Kittle’s injury last season, the 49ers relied on backup Jake Tonges for the last stretch of the season. Tonges proved to be a very good tight end, as the 27-year-old was very reliable.

Tonges had 34 catches in 46 targets for 293 yards and an outstanding five touchdowns in 2025. Hence, if the Australia game is too risky for Kittle, the Niners could use Tonges to very good results.

Purdy recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and shared his desire to create more opportunities with his legs moving forward. “I don’t know if I’ll be a Lamar Jackson out there by any means, but there’s always times on film where it’s like, I probably could use my feet there to pick up that 1st down and whatnot,” Purdy said.

“But I think that’s always within my training to make sure that I’m in shape and I am athletic enough to get out of the pocket, make plays off the scramble and whatnot.”

Purdy aims to exploit specific skill set

Purdy recognizes that maximizing his mobility is a key area he must exploit to rank among the league’s best, emphasizing gaining yards on his own and capitalizing on open spaces. The 49ers quarterback previously outlined his desire to scramble more during an interview with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“I’m never going to be a 4.4 guy, 4.5 guy,” Purdy said. “The thing I pride myself on is moving quickly, moving the chains when I need 10, 12 yards. I think I can add that for our offense, for sure. Not looking for that kind of stuff, but being able to fall back when those moments happen, like, ‘alright dude, I have the legs to do this, the mobility to do this, the athleticism.’…As I get older, I want to maintain that.”

Purdy addresses limited preseason reps

When asked on The Pat McAfee Show what he takes away from limited NFL preseason snaps, Purdy framed those reps strictly as mental and physical preparation rather than judging performance, expecting peak execution during the regular season when big results are expected from the 49ers.

“It’s obviously just getting ready for a game-the emotions, studying up on their defense, trying to have answers when you get out there,” Purdy said. “Going through your reads and trying to convert on third downs when you feel the pressure of the game. It’s a little different than practice.”

How to watch Chargers vs 49ers in the USA

The San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers preseason game will be broadcast nationally on NFL Network. For viewers who prefer to stream the game, NFL+ and Fubo are available options.

Can I watch Chargers vs 49ers for free?

Eligible new Fubo subscribers can watch Chargers vs. 49ers through the 5-day free trial. The platform’s current U.S. plans show a five-day trial, although eligibility and plan availability can vary.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers meet in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL Preseason, but Thursday’s game carries more weight than a typical exhibition matchup. The teams held a joint practice on Tuesday, giving their projected starters an early test against each other’s schemes before facing off at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers will also face the 49ers during the regular season, adding another layer to the matchup.

For Los Angeles, Justin Herbert and the healthy starters are expected to see at least one series, according to head coach Jim Harbaugh. That makes the game an important opportunity to evaluate Herbert and the first-team offense after the Chargers opened the preseason without several key starters. Harbaugh said the starters will play one series before the backups take over, although the situation could change following Tuesday’s joint practice.

The biggest concern for the Chargers heading into Thursday is center Tyler Biadasz‘s left-leg injury. The veteran was carted off during the joint practice after a collision with 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez, and the severity of the injury was not immediately known. Biadasz signed a three-year, $30 million contract in March to become Los Angeles’ starting center, so his status could have a significant impact on the offensive line.

San Francisco also has plenty to evaluate. Brock Purdy and several other starters could see action, while Christian McCaffrey‘s availability remains a key storyline after the running back dealt with muscle tightness.

The 49ers are also monitoring Mike Evans, who left Tuesday’s practice early with what Kyle Shanahan described as tightness. Meanwhile, the competition at left guard remains unsettled, giving the preseason game another opportunity for players to make their case.

What time is the Chargers vs 49ers match?

The Chargers vs. 49ers game kicks off Thursday, August 20, at 10:00 PM ET. For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

• Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
• Central Time: 9:00 PM
• Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
• Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

Per the Chargers’ website, Justin Herbert will start vs 49ers, confirmed by head coach Jim Harbaugh. “Starters are going to play a series then they’re going to come out. The backups will play the rest of the game,” Harbaugh said on Tuesday morning.

This will be the second straight year that Herbert makes an appearance in the preseason for the Chargers. Herbert was a 2020 rookie, but there was no preseason that year due to COVID-19. Then, he sat from 2021 to 2023, and missed the 2024 preseason with a plantar fascia injury.

Will Brock Purdy play for 49ers vs Chargers?

After joint practice against the Chargers, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that a chunk of first stringers will play during their Week 2 preseason game. That includes quarterback Brock Purdy, who will get snaps vs. Chargers.

Per Savanah Tujague of Yahoo! Sports, Purdy should see “anywhere from one to two series to direct the huddle and test his timing in game conditions.” While players like Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and Christian Kirk are still sidelined, it’s expected that Deebo Samuel and other starters join Purdy in the cameo.

Purdy and Herbert had very different joint practices

Purdy got picked and the offense was having lots of issues during the 49ers joint practice with the Chargers. From turnovers to miscommunications, it wasn’t great for the signal-caller.

Meanwhile, Justin Herbert torched the 49ers defense left, right, up, and down the field. It seems like the Chargers offense was firing at all cylinders, while the 49ers attacking force was to gears behind.

Shanahan shut down any speculation regarding the star running back’s injury status. According to Adam Schefter, Shanahan stated that McCaffrey “would have practiced Tuesday if it weren’t a joint practice vs. the Chargers. 49ers also have no reason to believe that McCaffrey’s missed practice time is contract-related.”

San Francisco 49ers concluded their final open training camp session on Sunday, which McCaffrey missed. The team traveled to Southern California for a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers. The 49ers will face Chargers in their second preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Expecting a healthy McCaffrey

When healthy, McCaffrey ranks not only among the best running backs in the league, but among the best of a generation. In five of the six seasons in which he played at least 16 games, he finished the year with over 1,800 yards from scrimmage and surpassed 2,000 yards in three of those campaigns.

That said, those 16-game seasons have been interrupted by several years in which he played less than half a season. Since 2020, he has missed 37 games and frequently appears on the injury report.

Should McCaffrey protest his contract?

Regarding money, McCaffrey currently earns around $12 million per year, which ranks sixth among NFL running backs. While it might seem like he should rank higher on the list, the only player earning substantially more right now is Saquon Barkley at $18 million annually.

Everyone else falls within $1.5 million of McCaffrey’s current salary. That places Christian above average for his position as one of the NFL‘s top performers, meaning contract demands should not be a relevant factor for a potential holdout.

Thankfully, on Sunday, the team got a positive update regarding the star’s status moving forward. “Nick Bosa is running well on the side, with D-line and other position drills underway. No support sleeve on right ACL,” reported Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group on X.

Many concerns were raised after reports of Bosa’s knee issue emerged last week. As Inman referenced, Bosa missed the majority of last season with an ACL tear, one of many devastating injuries San Francisco 49ers suffered throughout the year, including an NFL season-ending injury to star linebacker Fred Warner.

Bosa’s return

All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa was back on the practice field for the first time in over two weeks as he deals with tendinitis in his knee. The edge rusher was seen doing work off to the side, a sign that he is trending in the right direction.

San Francisco 49ers fans can let out a sigh of relief as one of the team’s defensive stars appears to be making favorable progress. Head coach Kyle Shanahan provided good news, stating that Bosa was listed as week-to-week due to the latest setback in his surgically repaired knee.

“Pretty normal thing with ACLs,” Shanahan said earlier this month. “Gotta be smart and be week-to-week. No concerns about it being more than that.” Bosa sustained a torn ACL in Week 4 against the New York Jets, which effectively ended his 2025 campaign. He was one of many 49ers stars to suffer a season-ending injury last season.

The Niners are less than a month away from the season opener on Sept. 10 against Los Angeles Rams in Australia, but there is still time for Bosa to be ready for the showdown. In 2025, the 49ers finished last in sacks with 20. A healthy Bosa would certainly increase that number, and San Francisco needs its defensive star if the team hopes to keep up with the rest of the NFC West.

Kittle shared encouraging news with the media recently, suggesting his return could come sooner rather than later, according to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. “49ers George Kittle shared that he has been hitting planned markers and he is ‘getting close’ to a return,” Lee Chan wrote on X.

While Kittle remains cautious about providing an exact date for when he will put on pads, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported that the veteran tight end hopes to return to practice in short order. “Kittle said he’s hoping to be back in pads and at practice ‘sooner than later’ but declines to share timeline for that. He’s hitting speed numbers close to pre-injury levels. Says he’s still working to ensure both calves are at roughly the same strength levels,” Wagoner wrote.

Kittle eyes return for season opener

Kittle was referencing the tedious rehabilitation process that could position him for a Week 1 return following the injury he sustained against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11. Having him available would be massive news for San Francisco 49ers, though the staff must remain cautious to avoid a potential re-injury.

Kittle stands as one of the most vital playmakers in San Francisco 49ers’ offense, and quarterback Brock Purdy loves connecting with him on the field. His presence should relieve pressure from Purdy and make the offense far more dynamic. Should he fail to return by Week 1, players such as Christian McCaffrey will need to carry a heavier workload in the backfield and as a pass catcher.

San Francisco 49ers also brought back Deebo Samuel during the offseason, a player who has proven to be a versatile gadget option throughout his career. Adding Kittle back into the mix will only make the offense even more dangerous.

What happened to Kittle?

Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during San Francisco 49ers’ NFL wild-card round victory over Eagles in January. He was carted back to the locker room and quickly diagnosed with the season-ending injury.

Achilles tears typically carry a quicker recovery timeline than ACL tears, but returning to peak form can present challenges depending on a player’s age. Kittle turns 33 in October, meaning playing like his former self might prove to be more of an uphill battle than simply stepping back onto the pitch.