The San Francisco 49ers can’t catch a break in their receiving corps.
Two more bits of bad news came down Wednesday when head coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR that wide receiver Demarcus Robinson was given a three-game suspension. He also said WR Jacob Cowing was out of Wednesday’s practice because of a lingering issue with the hamstring that has pushed him out of virtually all of training camp.
On top of those two issues, Jauan Jennings remains out with a calf injury and the team hasn’t put a firm timeline on his return. Brandon Aiyuk is also out for the foreseeable future, and rookie Jordan Watkins is nursing a high ankle sprain that may cost him the season opener.
There’s a chance Jennings is back for Week 1, and Cowing’s hamstring may heal up in time for the season opener on Sept. 7 in Seattle. Robinson will also appeal his suspension so there’s an outside chance it’s either reduced or erased. The odds of it being rescinded entirely are slim, however.
What we’re barreling toward is a thin receiving corps for San Francisco in Week 1. Let’s assume for a moment Robinson’s suspension is upheld and neither Jennings nor Cowing nor Watkins are able to play in the opener.
If nobody from that group can play, here’s who’s left from our latest 53-man roster projection, plus Skyy Moore who was added Wednesday in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs:
- Ricky Pearsall
- Russell Gage
- Skyy Moore
It’s not a lock that Moore makes the club since the 49ers acquired a 2027 seventh-round pick in the deal and sent out a 2027 sixth-round choice. For our purposes we’ll keep him in for now.
This would require some roster gymnastics from San Francisco. Robinson’s suspension means he won’t take a 53-man roster spot. Cowing may also be destined for an IR stint if his hamstring is still acting up by the opening week. That would open another roster spot for a receiver. They still may need to bring up a practice squad player or two early in the year to help fill out a receiving corps.
Veteran Chosen Anderson had a nice day in Week 2 of the preseason vs. the Las Vegas Raiders and could be an option if he winds up on the practice squad (and doesn’t make the team outright). Rookie punt returner Junior Bergen could sneak his way into the mix, and veteran Isaiah Hodgins has enough NFL experience to perhaps be a factor early in the season. Other WRs on the 90-man roster include Malik Knowles, Terique Owens and Malik Turner.
Here’s our guess at how the rest of the receiving corps would look going into Week 1:
- Chosen Anderson
- Isaiah Hodgins
No matter which way we slice it, it’s tough to find a quality version of the 49ers receiving corps for the season opener unless there are some changes to the current availability from that group.
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