The San Francisco 49ers were back on the field Thursday night for their second preseason game. The team was in Los Angeles taking on the Chargers, and it was a much better performance than last week’s.

The 49ers picked up a big 41-17 victory and saw some nice performances all around. Some players definitely helped their case to make the roster, while some others are now in serious danger with only one more preseason contest to play.

Today, let’s identify the five biggest winners and three losers from this performance.

Winner: RB Sincere McCormick

The 49ers’ ground game was not good against the Titans. As a result, it started to seem like the 49ers might need to add a more proven backup. Well, the unit bounced back against the Chargers, and Sincere McCormick was the most impressive.

McCormick rushed six times for 53 yards and one touchdown. The running back also picked up a tackle, and he looks shifty and explosive on the field. The 49ers’ RB4 spot is wide open, and McCormick deserves to be the favorite after Thursday night.

Loser: QB Adrian Martinez

Adrian Martinez had a perfect opportunity on Thursday night due to Kurtis Rourke not playing. The quarterback could have challenged for the QB3 spot or at least secured a future practice squad spot, but his performance was uninspiring.

Martinez completed less than half of his passes and ended with 57 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. The quarterback did add a rushing touchdown, but he still makes far too many mistakes. The quarterback needs to have a better showing in the next game to have a chance to stick around.

Winner: WR Jordan Watkins

Jordan Watkins was one of the standout performers in preseason in Week 1, and he kept it going on Thursday. Watkins caught three passes for 41 yards and one touchdown and also chipped in two tackles on special teams.

This was exactly the kind of game Watkins needed to stay in the running for one of the final receiver spots. If it weren’t for Jacob Cowing’s performance, Watkins would probably be a lock after Thursday night.

Loser: WR Will Pauling

Before preseason Week 2, Will Pauling was on the upswing. The 49ers gave the UDFA an extended look as the return man in preseason Week 1, and he had a nice showing. The Notre Dame product could have built his case this week, but he failed to do so.

Pauling was unable to reel in his only target of the night. The rookie did get two opportunities to return punts, but he was majorly outdone by Cowing. Pauling’s best shot to make the team might be out the window.

Winner: WR Jacob Cowing

Jacob Cowing was a major stock down player heading into Thursday. The receiver had been injured and didn’t play in the first preseason game, so it looked like Watkins and Pauling would jump ahead of him.

Well, Cowing helped himself in a big way against the Chargers. The receiver caught two passes for 14 yards and also had an 83-yard punt return touchdown. The 49ers haven’t had a punt return TD in years, so they have to be intrigued by Cowing once again.

Loser: OL Robert Jones, Connor Colby

As we know, the 49ers have been trying to find their starting left guard all summer. For the most part, Robert Jones and Connor Colby have been going back and forth. Jones was awful in the preseason opener, and Colby wasn’t much better.

As a result, rookie Carver Willis started at the position Thursday. More telling, backup tackle Austen Pleasants was the one who replaced Willis instead of Jones or Colby. That cannot be a good sign, and at this point, the left guard spot is the biggest red flag possible.

Winner: LB Tatum Bethune

If there was still any doubt that Tatum Bethune is going to be a solid rotational player, it has been removed. Bethune racked up six tackles and also had two nice tackles for loss. The linebacker has lived in the backfield this preseason and is extremely versatile.

Bethune also had the highest PFF grade of any 49ers defender, with an elite 91.1. Bethune has firmly put himself ahead of Nick Martin, Jaden Dugger, and others in the pecking order.

Winner: CB Jack Jones

Veteran corner Jack Jones is making the most of his opportunities this summer. The corner only had one tackle on Thursday, but he was credited with two nice pass breakups. Kyle Shanahan said, “I think every time they went at Jack, he knocked the ball down,” so that should tell you all you need to know.

It’s good that Jones is playing well because Renardo Green went down with an injury. It won’t be the end of the world if Jones has to get on the field in the regular season.

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