A former Nebraska quarterback made his 2026 preseason debut on Thursday. Adrian Martinez went 16-of-30 for 159 yards with a QB rating of 68.6 in the San Fransico 49ers' 19-13 loss to the Tennessee Titans.
Starter Brock Purdy and backup Mac Jones did not play. Kurtis Rourke got the start but had to leave the game in the second quarter, which forced Martinez into extended action. Coach Kyle Shannahan said that if Martinez had gone down, the team would have turned to tight end Brayden Willis.
Martinez played at Nebraska from 2018-21 before transferring to Kansas State for the 2022 season. In five seasons, the California native threw for 9,391 yards and 49 touchdowns with 30 interceptions.
He went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but spent time with the Detroit Lions during their fall camp. Martinez has also spent time in the NFL with the New York Jets.
The quarterback also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL in 2024. He won the UFL MVP and the inaugural UFL championship game.
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Former Nebraska quarterback plays in NFL preseason loss