The San Francisco 49ers wide receiver corps is getting healthier, even though the full group is not yet physically able to participate in practices.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after the team’s two-day mandatory minicamp and said Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings were all progressing, even though none participated in drills.
Aiyuk, the team’s No. 1 wideout, is recovering from devastating ACL and MCL injuries sustained in October. He is not expected to be fully recuperated in time for training camp but was with the receivers at minicamp.
Jennings was the 49ers’ top receiver in Aiyuk’s absence, finishing second on the team — behind only tight end George Kittle — in receiving yards (975) and touchdowns (6). Pearsall, the Niners’ first-round pick in 2024, also was productive after recovering from an off-season shooting.
What Did Kyle Shanahan Say About Brandon Aiyuk?
The Niners did not have Aiyuk available for last off-season, since he was holding out for a new contract. After he eventually signed, Aiyuk struggled, posting only 374 receiving yards in seven games before tearing up his knee.
So Aiyuk is going to be a huge focal point for fans, media and the team. Shanahan appreciates this but is trying to keep the 2023 second-team All-Pro from trying to rush back before he is ready.
“He’s making his way back. He’s still in the middle of it. So, he’s working through that,” Shanahan said of Aiyuk. “He’s been around, been rehabbing for the most part, but he’s been out to some practices, and it was good to have him out today.”
Aiyuk was reportedly coaching position mates while also reportedly lightly jogging. Aiyuk participating is a positive development for the team’s receiving corps, which lost Deebo Samuel via trade to the Washington Commanders.
Who Has Been Filling In For Aiyuk, Pearsall and Jennings?
Shanahan said of both Jennings’ calf ailment and Pearsall’s hamstring injury were “nothing serious.”
“It’s really good now; we’re just being safe,” Shanahan said of Pearsall’s injury. “He’ll be good by training camp.”
Still, that means there have been reps to be had while those three — the three most important wideouts on the roster — recover. Second-year wideout Jacob Cowing, a 5-9 reserve from Arizona who had four catches for 80 yards last season and was primarily a punt returner, has been a huge factor, according to Shanahan.
“I think Jacob put in some of the most work out of anyone in the off-season,” Shanahan said. “I think it’s really transferred over into those OTA practices.”
Jordan Watkins, the team’s seventh-round pick in this year’s draft from Mississippi, has also picked up some key reps, per Shanahan.
“I think Jordan’s doing solid,” Shanahan said. “He’s had some good days, some bad. But [that’s] normal.”
Shanahan said he was “excited about our weapons,” on offense, and Watkins and Cowing each have earned praise from more than Shanahan. Still, the team may look to add more experienced wideouts, including potentially free agent receiver Gabe Davis, with their top three battling injuries.
“We monitor everything,” Shanahan said. “I think [Davis] visited a few teams; he’s a guy we’ve been a fan of … and he had a good visit, but [upgrading the roster] is something we never stop doing.”
