Keion White makes immediate impact as 49ers close preseason with win over Raiders

The San Francisco 49ers closed out the preseason Thursday night in Las Vegas, and their newest defensive piece wasted no time making himself known. Keion White showed well in the opener against the Raiders, drawing early praise from the beat alongside Jack Jones as San Francisco's defense yielded only a field goal on the opening drive, and he carried that momentum into a full evening of work in a game the Niners won 18-12.

White's night was part of a larger defensive storyline. With most of San Francisco's established starters held out — none of last year's starting cornerbacks (Deommodore Lenoir, Renardo Green, Darrell Stout) even suited up — the second unit got an extended audition, and it delivered a signature moment when linebacker Tatum Bethune picked off Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza on a throw that ricocheted off two players before landing in his hands.

The win came with a cost, though. Rookie cornerback Ephesians Prysock left with a shoulder injury and was ruled out before halftime.

The defensive end carousel also kept spinning right up to kickoff: the 49ers signed Jah Joyner earlier in the day to replace Victor Dimukeje, who landed on injured reserve. He is only the latest name in a summer-long rotation at the position that has included Andrew Farmer, William Bradley-King, Cam Sample, Titus Leo, K.J. Henry and Xavier Thomas. Depth-chart questions remain — Alfred Collins and C.J. West were still playing defensive tackle into the third quarter, a sign the staff wants to see more from them before the regular season — but White's debut gave the defensive front a genuine bright spot on a night when most of the roster was in street clothes.