San Francisco 49ers @ Minnesota Vikings Week 2 Live Blog

We know the 49ers can run the ball without Christian McCaffrey -- they proved that last week when Jordan Mason rushed for 147 yards and 1 touchdown against the Jets. Now we have to see if the 49ers can pass the ball efficiently without him

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) warms up with teammates before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images / Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

MINNEAPOLIS -- This is the live blog for the San Francisco 49ers' Week 2 road game against the Minnesota Vikings. This will be updated frequently with information and analysis from the press box.

10:50 Here are the 49ers' inactives: Talanoa Hufanga, Dee Winters, Joshua Dobbs, Darrell Luter Jr. and Ben Bartch.

10:51 Here are the Vikings inactives: Jordan Addison, Brett Rypien, Fabian Moreau, Dwight McGlothern, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond and Walter Rouse.

10:52 We know the 49ers can run the ball without Christian McCaffrey -- they proved that last week when Jordan Mason rushed for 147 yards and 1 touchdown against the Jets. Now we have to see if the 49ers can pass the ball efficiently without him. Because most of the money on the offense is dedicated to the passing game -- Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams all are paid primarily for what they do during pass plays. In addition, Brock Purdy is on the verge of becoming one of the highest-paid players of all time. Can this group of stars maintain their excellence without McCaffrey on the field drawing the eyes of the opponents? Because last week, the 49ers caught zero touchdown passes and had to kick six field goals. That wouldn't have happened with McCaffrey on the field. He has a gravitational pull that benefits all of his teammates, and it's a pull that Jordan Mason can't replicate. We'll see if anyone can step up in McCaffrey's absence and be a true go-to guy.

12:00 The 49ers will receive the opening kickoff.

FIRST QUARTER

12:05 On 3rd and 2 from the 49ers 37, Brock Purdy's pass gets broken up by linebacker Blake Cashman and the 49ers go three and out. They never ran the ball. After the punt, the Vikings take over at their 15.

12:14 On 3rd and 10 from the Vikings 48, Sam Darnold holds the ball forever before throwing a short pass to running back Aaron Jones which gets broken up by Fred Warner. Darnold almost turned the ball over by pitching the ball backward under pressure. He's awful but he had a nice 16-yard run on 3rd and 3. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 20.

12:21 On 3rd and 5 from midfield, the Vikings blitz and hit Purdy as the throws an incomplete pass downfield. Then the Vikings block Mitch Wishnowsky's punt and return it to the 49ers' 24.

12:25 On 3rd and goal from the 4, Darnold holds the ball forever before throwing a pass into the end zone that gets broken up by George Odum. Then the Vikings make a 22-yard field goal.

49ers 0, Vikings 3.

SECOND QUARTER

12:47 On 4th and goal from the 2, Brock Purdy's pass to Jauan Jennings gets tipped at the line of scrimmage and nearly intercepted. The 49ers turn it over on downs. They still have no points. Strange that Kyle Shanahan didn't call a run for Mason on fourth down.

12:52 On 2nd and 9 from the Vikings 3-yard line, Darnold throws a 97-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson. He ran past both the 49ers safeties. What an incredible wide receiver and what a great throw. And what an embarassing start for the 49ers. They look hung over from last week.

49ers 0, Vikings 10.

1:00 On 4th and 2 from the Vikings 43, Brandon Aiyuk commits an illegal shift, Brock Purdy scrambles for 1 yard and the 49ers turn it over on downs. Vikings get the ball with 6:36 left plus they get the ball to start the third quarter. Pivotal moment in the game.

1:06 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers 21, Darnold throws an interception directly to Fred Warner who returns it to the Vikings 35. Good to see Darnold hasn't changed.

1:15 On 2nd and goal from the 7, Purdy throws a short pass to George Kittle who bulldozes his way into the end zone for the touchdown with 1:53 left in the half.

49ers 7, Vikings 10.

1:25 With 17 seconds left on 3rd and 10 from the Vikings 40, Maliek Collins and Javon Hargrave both rush past the quarterback and allow Darnold to scramble for 19 yards. Next play, the Vikings make a 39-yard field goal as time expires. They'll get the ball to start the third quarter.

49ers 7, Vikings 13.

THIRD QUARTER

1:42 On 2nd and 6 from the Vikings 34, Darnold commits a 17-yard intentional grounding penalty. Then the Vikings go three and out. After the punt, the 49ers take over at their 35.

1:48 On 3rd and 12 from the 49ers 49, Purdy gets sacked for the third time. The 49ers' third-down offense is pathetic without Christian McCaffrey. After the punt, the Vikings take over at their 15.

1:54 On 3rd and 3 from the Vikings 39, Darnold runs backward in the pocket and Bosa sacks him. Then Jacob Cowing muffs the punt but the 49ers recover at their 13.

1:59 On 2nd and 10 from the 13, Brock Purdy forces a pass over the middle to Kyle Juszczyk and gets intercepted. Next play, Charvarius Ward bites on a play-action fake and gives up a touchdown catch to Jalen Nailor. The 49ers are on the ropes.

49ers 7, Vikings 20.

2:08 George Kittle was just carted to the locker room.

2:10 On 3rd and 15 from the 49ers 45, Purdy's pass gets tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted. The Vikings take over at midfield.

2:13 Kittle has cramps.

2:15 On 1st and 10 from the 49ers 20, Darnold throws a screen pass to the Aaron Jones, Fred Warner punches the ball out of his hands at the goal line and Isaac Yiadom recovers. Incredible play.

FOURTH QUARTER

2:30 On 2nd and 4 from the Vikings 10, Purdy pitches the ball to Mason who scores easily. He now has 100 yards and a touchdown. Wonderful player.

49ers 14, Vikings 20.

2:45 On 3rd and 12 from the 49ers 12, Aaron Jones plows ahead for four yards, then the Vikings make a 26-yard field goal with 3:30 left.

49ers 14, Vikings 23.

2:56 On 3rd and 1 from the Vikings 4, Purdy throws a quick screen pass that almost is intercepted. Deebo Samuel wrestles the ball away from the defender and loses 9 yards. Then Jake Moody makes a 31-yard field goal with 1:12 left. The 49ers are attempting an onside kick.

3:00 The Vikings recover the onside kick.