Jauan Jennings dealing with dangerous injury for 2nd time this offseason
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings left Sunday's practice early because of a calf issue. It's the second time this offseason he's dealt with a calf problem. Jennings also had a calf ailment in OTAs according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch.
This is a tenuous situation for the 49ers because they desperately need Jennings to be healthy this season. He led the team's wide receivers with 975 yards a year ago and he looked to be in line for a similar role to start the 2025 campaign.
Calf injuries are tricky because of the proximity to and potential impact on the Achilles. Just last season running back Christian McCaffrey missed virtually all of training camp with what the team called a calf injury. It turns out it was Achilles tendinitis that cost the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year the first eight weeks of the regular season.
Jennings joins Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing in the group of 49ers WRs dealing with injuries early in camp. Aiyuk is still recovering from a major knee injury he sustained in Week 7 last year, and Cowing is out for some time because of a hamstring injury he suffered on the first day of camp. Pearsall missed the start of camp because of a hamstring injury, but he did return to the field Sunday.
If Jennings winds up missing significant time, it leaves the door wide open for Pearsall to take on the No. 1 WR role. The problem is the rest of the depth chart where veteran Demarcus Robinson is probably next up as the WR2. Rookie fourth-round pick Jordan Watkins could see additional reps with the first team, and veterans like Russell Gage could make their case for a roster spot if the top of the depth chart continues having health problems.
Ideally Jennings won't miss a ton of time, but the location of his injury means the team should be smart with him and ensure they're not rushing him back into action.
More 49ers: A former 7th-round pick could become a surprise receiving threat for the 49ers
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