Shanahan: Watkins Inactive Status Tied to Special Teams, Not Receiving
The short version
- Kyle Shanahan said Jordan Watkins' two-game inactivity was due mainly to special teams, not his receiving ability.
- Demarcus Robinson was ruled out after an ankle injury against Miami.
- Ricky Pearsall is out for the season; De'Zhaun Stribling is on injured reserve.
- Watkins caught 13 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown in the preseason.
- The 49ers are 2-0 and face Arizona on Sunday.
The 49ers coach said Jordan Watkins is in line for a role after Demarcus Robinson's injury opened a spot in a thinning receiver room.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that wide receiver Jordan Watkins is now in line for an opportunity, after the rookie spent the first two games of the season on the inactive list. Speaking on September 26, Shanahan explained that Watkins' inactivity was driven largely by special teams considerations rather than his work as a receiver.
"He's gonna have an opportunity now," Shanahan said, adding that Watkins has improved in a lot of facets. The coach noted that if the decision had been based strictly on receiver play, Watkins likely would have been active as early as Week 1.
Watkins, a former Ole Miss standout, now has a clearer path to the active roster after Demarcus Robinson was ruled out with an ankle injury suffered against the Miami Dolphins last week. Robinson had been productive to open the season, catching two passes for 50 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams and adding three receptions for 34 yards against the Dolphins.
The 49ers enter the weekend 2-0, but their wide receiver depth has been hit hard. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season after knee surgery, and De'Zhaun Stribling is on injured reserve. The team recently added veteran Brandin Cooks as another option at the position.
Watkins showed promise during the preseason, recording 13 catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. That performance kept him in the conversation for a role despite his limited early-season involvement.
The competition around Watkins remains real, with Cooks now part of the receiver mix. Still, with Robinson unavailable and injuries reshuffling the room, Watkins appears positioned for the chance he has been waiting for since the start of the season.
The 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 27 at Levi's Stadium. Kickoff is set for 4:05 PM EDT on FOX.
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