General manager John Lynch addressed ongoing injuries to the San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver group as the team approaches the start of the regular season. Russell Gage, one of several receivers dealing with injuries, sustained a knee sprain during practice this week. The 49ers open their regular season on Sept. 7 at Seattle after hosting the Los Angeles Chargers in their preseason finale.
Lynch commented on KNBR 680-AM about the challenges facing the group: “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 team’s situation has led to increased responsibilities for younger players, including second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall acknowledged how unusual this training camp has been: “It’s definitely not normal. It’s definitely different, and we all know that (…). 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.(…) 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.” Pearsall also noted readiness despite changes: “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.”
Pearsall previously overcame a serious injury outside football; last year he recovered from a gunshot wound suffered during an attempted robbery in San Francisco.
Among other moves made by the club is Wednesday’s trade for Skyy Moore from Kansas City after further injuries hit Jacob Cowing (hamstring) and Gage (knee). Moore will have an opportunity as a return specialist due to his dual abilities in both punt and kickoff returns.
Lynch discussed Moore’s arrival: “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.”
Regarding Gage’s status following his knee injury earlier this week, 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.”
On Jauan Jennings’ absence since July 27 due to calf issues dating back to last year’s camp absence—head coach Kyle Shanahan traced it back while 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.” Lynch declined comment on any potential contract-related reasons for Jennings’ absence.
Brandon Aiyuk remains sidelined as well while recovering from last October’s multiple-ligament tear suffered against Kansas City; Lynch said his return timeline remains uncertain but made clear expectations: “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.”
Demarcus Robinson is also expected by both Shanahan and Robinson himself—pending appeal—to begin serving a three-game suspension stemming from an off-field incident last year.
Available options currently include Robbie Chosen—about whom Lynch said: “These guys wear GPS, and he’ll clock some of the highest speeds we have out here (…). 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.” Other receivers available are Isaiah Hodgins, Terique Owens, Malik Knowles and Malik Turner.
Lynch summarized ongoing injury concerns among receivers as routine during camp: “there’s always attrition” with this position group each summer; minimizing injury risk would only come by eliminating practice altogether.
