Nick Wagoner
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — For the primary time in 36 days, San Francisco 49ers large receiver Jauan Jennings participated in follow Monday.
The Niners held their “bonus” follow within the morning as they start preparations for Sunday's season opener in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks. And after they did, they had been about as wholesome as they have been all offseason. 5 gamers — Jennings, guard Dominick Puni (knee), defensive deal with Kalia Davis, receiver Russell Gage Jr. (knee) and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) — had been again to follow.
However Jennings' return was maybe essentially the most pressing. Since departing from the workforce's fourth follow of coaching camp July 27 with a calf damage, Jennings has not often been seen on aspect fields and has taken half in zero padded practices.
Along with the calf damage, Jennings has been looking for a profitable long-term contract extension. Niners normal supervisor John Lynch stated final week that Jennings requested a commerce “some time in the past,” however the GM made it clear that the workforce had no need to deal the receiver and was anticipating him again on the sector as soon as his damage healed.
Although Jennings didn't communicate to the media Monday — the workforce says he'll speak later this week — his teammates had been comfortable to have him again.
“When a participant goes via stuff like that, you simply type of allow them to undergo it with the workforce,” left deal with Trent Williams stated. “I feel everyone of their profession goes to have a [contract] standoff or battle of some kind. … Clearly, Jauan is a hell of a participant, certainly one of our greatest gamers on the workforce. So, having him out there's actually necessary.”
Jennings' return is the strongest indication but that the perimeters have moved previous their contract stalemate and the commerce request. As of Monday afternoon, the Niners and Jennings had not struck any type of modified or prolonged contract, based on a supply.
Jennings is getting into the ultimate season of the two-year deal he signed in 2024. He's scheduled to rely $4.258 million in opposition to this season's wage cap with greater than $8 million in useless cash remaining from lingering void years.
All through camp, there was hypothesis that Jennings' absence was extra contract-related than due to damage, although Lynch stated final week that “each issues might be true.”
If Jennings will get all the way in which again and is ready to play this week, it will likely be important for a Niners receiving corps that has been hit exhausting by damage. Jennings was the workforce's most efficient wideout in 2024, posting 77 receptions for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns, all profession highs. The Niners additionally take into account Jennings an elite run blocker for his place.
“He is my favourite participant on the workforce,” Puni stated. “We simply love him as an O-line and clearly as a receiver catching the ball. He is without doubt one of the greatest within the league too, however his run recreation means is so enjoyable to observe. He simply dominates folks.”
With Jennings and Gage again training, the one participant on the lively roster lacking Monday was rookie Jordan Watkins. The rookie continues to be coping with a excessive ankle sprain and has been seen operating on the aspect not too long ago.
The 49ers additionally hosted free agent receiver Kendrick Bourne on the facility Monday. If the Niners deem Bourne wholesome and signal him, they're going to should make a corresponding transfer to open a roster spot. He's scheduled to go to the Washington Commanders on Tuesday if he doesn't signal with San Francisco.
Past Jennings, Puni is the opposite surefire Niners starter to return to follow Monday. Puni suffered a proper posterior cruciate ligament damage within the Aug. 16 preseason recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Puni stated Monday that he is “feeling lots higher,” is “attending to full power” and that though he had some rust to knock off Monday, he feels good about his possibilities to play in opposition to the Seahawks.
Having a virtually full complement of gamers obtainable for the opener now looks like an actual risk for a workforce that not way back was struggling to have sufficient our bodies to get via regular practices.
“Having the blokes that we plan to be right here, having them there Week 1, [it's] undoubtedly going to assist,” Williams stated. “We will want it. We're going into the hardest atmosphere within the league and no actual warmup to it … and having our guys again helps that lots.”
