SANTA CLARA – Jimmy Garoppolo got in and out of the 49ers’ exhibition opener Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys after converting a couple of third-down throws.
But three of the 49ers’ other starters were not so lucky.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith (hamstring), defensive end Solomon Thomas (head) and tight end George Kittle (shoulder) each sustained first-quarter injuries that could keep them out of action for a while. Smith, Thomas and Kittle left the playing field to return to the locker-room area for further observation immediately after sustaining their injuries.
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Garoppolo played one series, and completed all three of his third-down attempts. Garoppolo found rookie receiver Richie James for a 9-yard completion on a third-and-8 play. Then, he hooked up with Marquise Goodwin for 18 yards on a third-and-10 play. On a third and 16, Garoppolo’s third-down pass to Jerick McKinnon gained just 7 yards.
Garoppolo, who misfired on his other three pass attempts, completed three of six passes for 34 yards. Backup C.J. Beathard replaced him at the beginning of the second series.
Backup running back Matt Breida sustained a shoulder injury late in the first quarter and would not return to action.
Early in the second quarter, backup offensive tackle Garry Gilliam left the field with a head injury, too.
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Here are the players who saw action on offense and defense in the first quarter:
Offense
QB: Jimmy Garoppolo, C.J. Beathard
RB: Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Raheem Mostert
FB: Kyle Juszczyk
WR: Pierre Garçon, Aaron Burbridge, Dante Pettis
WR: Marquise Goodwin, Aldrick Robinson, Kendrick Bourne
TE: George Kittle, Garrett Celek, Cole Hikutini
Slot: Richie James
LT: Joe Staley, Garry Gilliam
LG: Laken Tomlinson, Pace Murphy
C: Weston Richburg, Erik Magnuson
RG: Mike Person
RT: Mike McGlinchey
Defense
DE: Jullian Taylor, Ronald Blair
NT: Earl Mitchell, D.J. Jones
DT: DeForest Buckner, Sheldon Day
DE: Solomon Thomas, Cassius Marsh
SAM: Eli Harold, Dekoda Watson
MIKE: Reuben Foster
WILL: Malcolm Smith, Elijah Lee
LCB: Jimmie Ward
RCB: Ahkello Witherspoon
Nickel: D.J. Reed
FS: Adrian Colbert, Antone Exum
SS: Jaquiski Tartt, Chanceller James
Did Not Play
DL Arik Armstead (hamstring)
CB Richard Sherman (hamstring)
CB K'Waun Williams (ankle)
WR Trent Taylor (back)
G Jonathan Cooper (knee)
G Joshua Garnett (knee)
LB Brock Coyle (hip)
LB Fred Warner (chest)
OL JP Flynn (knee)
S Marcell Harris (Achilles)
TE Cole Wick (knee)