General manager John Lynch addressed the San Francisco 49ers’ current injury concerns at wide receiver on Thursday. Lynch appeared on KNBR 680-AM, assuring fans about the team’s situation: “We’ll have enough guys come Week 1 to put a formidable group out there, then we’ll get some guys back throughout the course of the season. We’ll be OK there.”
The 49ers recently traded for Skyy Moore from the Kansas City Chiefs as they deal with multiple injuries among their receivers. Moore took a few snaps in practice after his trade was finalized and is expected to contribute as a return specialist. Lynch commented, “The bottom line, Skyy is a talented guy who, probably, a change in environment was needed (…) What I like is it gives us a chance to evaluate him before the season. … He probably has fallen short of expectations they had for him, but he brings value in he’s a dual returner – punt and kickoff. With Cowing out that became valuable and important to us.” Moore must complete his physical before the trade is final.
Wide receiver Russell Gage also sustained an injury during practice on Wednesday, ending what had been an impressive camp for him with a knee sprain. On Gage’s prognosis, Lynch stated, “A slight MCL sprain was welcome news (…) We expect him to be ready for our opener. It’s better than the alternative, we say.”
Jauan Jennings remains sidelined due to a calf issue dating back to last season’s training camp. Regarding Jennings’ absence and Moore’s arrival, Lynch said: “We like the player Skyy. We love Jauan (…) We’re getting close to the season. Players have to practice but if they’re not healthy enough to do it, they can’t. We’re getting there where we have to get out on the field. We’ll let that unfold.”
Brandon Aiyuk continues his recovery from last October’s multiple-ligament tear and is not expected for Week 1; instead, he could return later in the season depending on progress clearing medical lists and team assessments. Lynch remarked, “We’re comfortable saying he’s not going to be there Week 1, and then it probably will be some time after that. I’m not going to put exact timelines (…) Hopefully, sometime this season, he’s playing the type of football we expect and he expects himself to play at, and he will be a big boost to the team.”
Second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall currently leads a patchwork group amid these changes and reflected on adapting: “It’s definitely not normal. It’s definitely different, and we all know that (…)” Pearsall added: “But it’s OK. It’s not always going to be the same. Life is full of adversity, full of changes. It’s all about how you react (…)” He continued: “We can sit there and say ‘We’re short on numbers,’ and we can complain about it. Or we can put our heads down and go to work, and that’s what we’re doing.” After practice Pearsall concluded: “We looked around and said ‘It’s us. Let’s go to work, regardless of who’s in the room.’ We got a new addition today. So you know we’re ready to go. Regardless—it doesn’t matter.”
Additional players dealing with injuries include Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf), Jacob Cowing (hamstring), Jordan Watkins (ankle), Russell Gage (knee), Equanimeous St. Brown (injured reserve) and Trent Taylor (injured reserve). Meanwhile Demarcus Robinson faces an anticipated three-game suspension stemming from last year’s DUI charge.
Robbie Chosen may lead among available healthy receivers as noted by Lynch: “These guys wear GPS, and he’ll clock some of the highest speeds we have out here (…)” On Chosen’s potential role moving forward: “He’s starting to go, and he can make plays (…) As long as he continues to do that there’s a place for him (…) We’ll see how the room shakes out (…) It’ll be a nice redemption story.”
Lynch noted ongoing attrition at receiver each year during camp due both natural circumstances and rigors of preseason practice.
The team opens its regular season Sept. 7 in Seattle following its preseason finale against Los Angeles Chargers this Saturday.
