Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday in a pre-practice press conference indicated the coaching staff is still finalizing how exactly they’ll deploy the wide receivers they’ll have available Sunday in Seattle.
“Very fluid. It’s guys that we’ve got a hunch about,” Shanahan said. “There’s guys that have been here for a bit, especially like (WR Russell) Gage and stuff. He’s been around here since last year and had a real good offseason, but finished those last two weeks hurt, which made some uncertainty about him, but I’ve got a much better idea there. Just getting (WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling) MVS here, guys like (WR) Robbie (Chosen) and stuff who joined later in the deal, (WR) Malik Turner, all those guys have an opportunity to help us. We’re going to most likely get five up for the game. (WR) Skyy Moore’s another new one. All these guys have been here really the last week, and they’ve all been working, but they definitely need three more days of practice to see which ones we want to put in which role.”
Here’s a quick update on the 49ers WR situation and how we think the snaps will shake out in Week 1:
Updated 49ers wide receiver injuries
- WR Jauan Jennings (calf, limited)
- WR Jordan Watkins (ankle, out)
- WR Brandon Aiyuk (knee, PUP)
- WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring, IR)
- WR Trent Taylor (undisclosed, IR)
- WR Demarcus Robinson (suspension)
Who will start for the 49ers at wide receiver?
If Jennings is able to play, and there seems to be optimism that he will, he should get the start alongside Ricky Pearsall. Jennings is coming off the best season of his career while Pearsall is coming off an excellent training camp where he established some good chemistry with quarterback Brock Purdy.
Full 49ers wide receiver depth chart
- Jauan Jennings
- Ricky Pearsall
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Russell Gage (practice squad elevation)
- Skyy Moore
The 49ers may elevate multiple WRs depending on how they feel about their special teams numbers. Signs point to Gage getting a call up, though. It sounds like Valdes-Scantling has the inside track to be the third receiver. That could change depending on how practices go leading up to Week 1.
Projected snaps for each 49ers wide receiver
We’re basing these projections on the 49ers’ average offensive snap count last season, which was 60 plays per game. It would make sense if San Francisco limits Jennings some since he missed virtually all of training camp with a calf injury. They have a handful of veterans who can chew up the additional snaps.
- Ricky Pearsall (55, 92%)
- Jauan Jennings (47, 78%)
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (18, 30%)
- Russell Gage (14, 23%)
- Skyy Moore (8, 13%)
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