Even worse for the 49ers, their receiving corps is all kinds of unknown right now. Jauan Jennings is dealing with a calf injury right as the season is set to kick off. But few fantasy stars shined as bright last year as Jennings. Over the last three weeks of the 2022 season, he was electric, catching 18 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He’s now on to the last season of that two-year extension, which he signed in the 2024 offseason. Speculation on Jennings’ future has become an ongoing source of intrigue within the organization as they prepare to head into game.
While Jennings is nursing a recent injury that he is not expected to miss much time for, Jennings has been through the ringer over his career. He’s never missed more than three games to injury in a single season. He’s been a regular on the injury report, appearing 11 times over the last two years. His ability to stay on the field has made him a key player within the 49ers’ offense, and his recent performances have only solidified that role.
This year, Jennings is on the hook for a salary cap hit of $4.258 million. Since void years are littered in his contract, he has more than $8 million in dead money in 2026. This third, money-related element only increases the current complexity of his situation, leading to speculation over possible contract extensions or restructuring.
That being said, Jennings isn’t letting contract indecision or forced injury stop him. He could’ve easily have been a distraction, he’s chosen not to be one, chosen instead to continue to be as dynamic as he can be in practice and games. His energy, physicality, and ability to get open and make big plays are qualities that his teammates thrive off during training sessions.
Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak have spoken about how Jennings has changed the game. The pair have lauded his work ethic as well as his desire to better his craft and overall play.
“Once you think you’ve got it, it gets a lot worse the next day. … I think they’re in their playbooks, but they definitely can’t be content with it. They’ve got to get into more, they’ve got to get more of these reps, and we’ve got to keep challenging them.” – Kyle Shanahan
Kubiak put a premium on consistency across the receiver group, most notably in regards to helping out the QB position.
“Obviously, for the quarterback you want to have a consistent group out there,” – Klay Kubiak
He noted how not knowing who your primary targets will be can make life difficult for quarterbacks. It might make them more flexible in the end.
“But it can be good for the quarterbacks, too, to have a revolving door because the quarterback just has to play. … It can be a good thing for QBs to sometimes have to work through different skill position groups.” – Klay Kubiak
Jennings is making a full recovery from his injury. He’s expected to be a major part of the 49ers’ offensive scheme this season. When he is healthy, he’s always among the most efficient quarterbacks in the game. That consistency would make him an important player for the team as they continue on through training camp and into the regular season.
Leave a Reply