Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Within the midst of a rash of accidents that has hit the broad receiver room significantly onerous, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan provided the closest factor to a return date for Brandon Aiyuk for the primary time Monday.
Whereas Shanahan was positive so as to add the required caveats that issues can change with a severe damage such because the torn ACL and MCL in Aiyuk's proper knee, his present hope is to have Aiyuk again a bit of earlier than midseason together with security Malik Mustapha and quarterback Kurtis Rourke, each of whom are additionally coping with ACL accidents.
“I type of view all these guys across the similar time,” Shanahan mentioned. “Whether or not it is Mustafa, whether or not it is Rourke or whether or not it is Brandon. They're all at completely different levels, however the place they're at, I all the time see 'em round Week 6, which signifies that could possibly be Week 10, it means it could possibly be Week 5, however that is the realm the place I begin excited about it, which is a good distance away. I do know it isn't Week 1 or something like that, so it is one thing I am not likely excited about an excessive amount of.”
Aiyuk stays on the bodily unable to carry out record due to the knee damage he suffered in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in Week 7 of final season. Aiyuk has been across the crew all through this coaching camp, providing tricks to the wholesome receivers as they undergo apply and serving to receivers coach Leonard Hankerson break down performs in conferences.
However Aiyuk's knee damage wasn't as clear as others, which is why a virtually yearlong timetable has been eyed. His potential return took on much more significance given the continued rash of accidents that has hit the Niners at receiver.
One of many few who had been a gradual presence was rookie Jordan Watkins, a fourth-round pick of Mississippi who made a 50-yard catch in his preseason debut in opposition to the Denver Broncos on Saturday night time.
Watkins performed the entire recreation seemingly with out subject however instructed the crew of some ache Sunday. An MRI revealed that Watkins is coping with a excessive ankle sprain, one Shanahan mentioned Monday will probably hold Watkins out for a few month.
The 49ers practiced Monday with out Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (hamstring) and Watkins, a quartet that many would have projected to account for about two-thirds of the crew's regular-season depth chart on the place.
What's extra, veteran Demarcus Robinson remains to be awaiting phrase from the league on a possible suspension after he pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI cost in early July. Shanahan mentioned Robinson is within the midst of an appeals course of earlier than any self-discipline is finalized, a sentiment Robinson echoed on Monday.
“[I'm] fairly anxious,” Robinson mentioned. “Simply ready on the end result to see what occurs with that. I actually do not know the timeframe. Ready to listen to from them, clearly. It is all as much as regardless of the league says. I am simply ready on no matter they are saying when the time comes.”
Jennings' scenario presents an analogous quantity of uncertainty. He is coming into the ultimate season of the two-year extension he signed within the 2024 offseason and is scheduled to depend $4.258 million in opposition to the wage cap with greater than $8 million in useless cash remaining in 2025 from lingering void years. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in mid-July that Jennings would really like a profitable contract extension or, barring that, a commerce. Jennings reported to camp on time and took half within the first 4 practices of camp earlier than departing throughout the fourth one with a calf subject.
It is the identical calf that Jennings struggled with in final yr's coaching camp and through organized crew actions in late spring. Up to now, Jennings has made no public commerce requests however there isn't any timeline for him to return to apply, both.
“It's one thing that we do not suppose shall be too severe,” Shanahan mentioned. “Nevertheless it's bothering him at times how a lot he misses; I all the time need guys on the market. It helps him, it helps the crew. However Jauan was all proper final yr, too, lacking a while.”
Cowing, in the meantime, is predicted to return to apply in some capability Tuesday after injuring his hamstring within the opening days of camp. Cowing went by way of a exercise Sunday with Shanahan saying he hit the entire instances the crew wished to see from him.
For now, Ricky Pearsall, the crew's high choose in 2024, is the one wideout projected within the crew's high six who's wholesome sufficient to apply and anticipated to be obtainable for Week 1 if he can keep away from damage. Past Pearsall and Robinson, the Niners ran Tuesday's apply with Isaiah Hodgins, Robbie Chosen, Terique Owens, Russell Gage Jr. and Junior Bergen as the one different receiver choices. All of which begs the query of whether or not the Niners might want to go to free company to search out one other veteran choice or two.
“It's a problem,” Shanahan mentioned. “There are prospects later which are assured, however there's a lot of issues which are tied to that. Who's obtainable, how a lot they're obtainable for and the scenario our crew is in wage cap clever and what we will do. However yeah, we're wanting into every part. We'll all the time attempt to do one of the best however attempt to not simply panic and do one thing to outlive a troublesome scenario on the expense of what would actually damage you afterward this yr and positively subsequent yr.”
