Niners Nation
With each passing day, the San Francisco 49ers receive bad news about their receivers. In two days, the 49ers found out Demarcus Robinson will be suspended for three games, Jacob Cowing reaggravated his hamstring injury, and Russell Gage sprained his MCL. Let’s not forget, the 49ers acquired wide receiver Skyy Moore from Kansas City, as well as a pick swap of future sixth and seventh-round picks.
So, where does this wide receiver room stand? Week 1 is nearing, and players that were brought in as training camp bodies may have to play meaningful snaps against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.
Last season, even with the Brandon Aiyuk contract drama, the 49ers kept seven receivers on the initial 53-man roster. Given the injuries, that’s a safe bet again in 2025.
Prediction: Brandon Aiyuk (PUP), Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Skyy Moore, Russell Gage, Jacob Cowing, Demarcus Robinson (suspension), Robbie Chosen, and Jordan Watkins
Jennings, Gage, Cowing, and Watkins are all working through injuries. It is very possible that at least three, maybe all four (in a perfect world), will be ready for Week 1. It’s also possible that only one or two are. However you slice it, this is less than ideal.
Dealing with a calf injury (and a contract request), Jennings is vital to the 49ers’ passing attack. Confidence will be raised if the former seventh-round pick is cleared and starting against Seattle, but that remains to be seen. Pearsall has ascended all training camp and is in line for a massive target share, even if Jennings is ready for Seattle. Kyle Shanahan and the offense need Pearsall to remain healthy and contribute all season.
Watkins is working his way back from a high ankle sprain, and the recovery timeline is right up against Week 1, if everything goes right. Let’s face it, when has anything gone right with injuries the past two seasons? Speaking of bad injury luck, Cowing is back, dealing with a hamstring injury less than a week after returning from the same injury.
John Lynch provided a positive update on Gage, saying the veteran should be ready for Week 1. Robbie Chosen has shown explosiveness in his return to Santa Clara and could be counted on for big snaps against the Seahawks. Moore’s acquisition signals Jordan Bergen’s end as a 53-man candidate. While Moore isn’t exactly the greatest punt returner, he has experience and can be used as a receiver. Bergen just didn’t offer enough as a receiver to warrant his inclusion as only a returner.
As far as Aiyuk goes, the Week 6 target remains in play for the former All-Pro. Robinson was signed with Aiyuk’s potential absence in mind, but he will miss the first three games.
Today is August 21st. With the amount of injury updates and new news coming in, who knows how this prediction will look? You can bet the 49ers will wait out cut-down day and bring in receivers who were cut from other teams.
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