The only thing that matters during the preseason is getting out of these games healthy. We didn’t need to see the San Francisco 49ers’ starters for more than a series. However, Dominick Puni did not come out with Connor Colby and Spencer Burford, a couple of other offensive linemen who started the game.

The 49ers kicker was on his way to being a shaky summer storyline until two kicks in the final minute bought him some breathing room.

Puni, a third-round pick of the 49ers last year, played a key role for the team as a rookie. The 25-year-old played a team-high 1,078 offensive snaps, allowing just three sacks, along with 35 pressures and 32 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.

Dominick Puni took the starting guard spot in 2024 and never looked back. Could history repeat with Connor Colby

Some of the team’s injuries in the preseason are just bad luck. Knee injuries to Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos last year and injuries to Corey Kiner (high ankle) and Dominick Puni (knee) this month aren’t part of any systemic issue. They’re just misfortune.

The 49ers' Purdy-to-Kittle connection shined in practice. Plus, rookie Dominick Puni scored a wild tipped-pass TD and Jacob Cowing returned from injury.