It was a preseason finale full of takeaways.
Literally.
The Chargers committed five turnovers — while forcing three of their own — in a 23-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers Thursday night at Levi's Stadium.
Cardale Jones started the game at quarterback for the Chargers, finishing 18-of-24 for 158 yards and two turnovers (interception, fumble). Mike Bercovici relieved Jones late in the third quarter.
The Chargers running game showed flashes as four ball carriers had at least one rush go for 10 yards or more. Rookie Austin Ekeler led the way with 50 yards on eight carries (6.3 yards per carry). Ekeler also hauled in three catches for 58 yards.
Chargers rookie defensive back Desmond King continued his stellar preseason play with a punishing first-quarter sack of 49ers rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard — a teammate of King's at the University of Iowa. Linebacker Korey Toomer also sacked Beathard in the opening quarter.
The second quarter belonged to San Francisco, though. In what appeared to be a broken play, Beathard quickly improvised by tucking the ball and scampering 62 yards for a touchdown.
After a three-and-out by the Chargers on the next possession, Victor Bolden Jr. took a Drew Kaser punt 92 yards for another 49ers score. A Jones fumble on the next Chargers possession led to an eventual one-yard touchdown rush by running back Tim Hightower to make the score 23-3 after a Nick Rose extra point.
Linebacker Kyle Coleman intercepted a Nick Mullens pass in the fourth quarter and took it 30 yards for the Chargers' only touchdown of the game.
CUTDOWN DAY
Los Angeles will be required to trim its roster from 90 to 53 players by this Saturday at 1 p.m. Pacific.
NEXT UP
The Chargers open the 2017 regular season Monday, Sept. 11th at 7:20 p.m. Pacific on the road against the Denver Broncos.
The Bolts take on the 49ers on the road for preseason game 4.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones prepares to throw against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers offensive guard Dan Feeney (66) during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones, left, hands off to running back Kenjon Barner (24) during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
San Francisco 49ers tight end Logan Paulsen, top, is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Brandon Stewart after a catch during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (5) signals during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (5) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kenjon Barner (24) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (5) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa (99) watches from the sideline during the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (3) runs San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones (5) throws during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers watches from the sideline as his team plays the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Artavis Scott (82) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn during the first half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones takes a snap during the first half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Artavis Scott (82) leaps over San Francisco 49ers defensive back Don Jones (20) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Mike Bercovici throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (3) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
Los Angeles Chargers players walk off the field at the end of a preseason NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers won 23-13. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
