SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Following a summer plagued by injuries, the San Francisco 49ers welcomed nearly their full roster back for practice on Monday, including wide receiver Jauan Jennings.
Jennings, who had shown promise at the beginning of training camp, had been sidelined for over a month due to a calf injury. In addition to his health concerns, he has been advocating for a new contract, leaving some to wonder whether his absence stemmed from his injury or contract negotiations.
“Both things can be true, you know,” general manager John Lynch commented last week. “He wants a new contract and he’s got a hurt calf, so I think people want to assume one or the other. Both things can be true.”
A source within the league indicated that no contract agreement had been reached as of Monday. Jennings opted not to speak with reporters after the practice, although a public relations official stated he would address the media later in the week.
At 28 years old, Jennings emerged as the 49ers’ leading wide receiver last season, stepping up in the absence of Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a torn ACL on October 20. Jennings concluded the season with impressive stats, tallying 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His tenacity and blocking skills have earned him praise among teammates.
“He’s my favorite player on the team,” said guard Dominick Puni, who also returned to practice on Monday. “What he does in the run game — we just love him as an O-line.”
Without Jennings, the 49ers would have been forced to rely on new additions and players from other teams who were not typically rostered. Should Jennings stay healthy, he is expected to start alongside Ricky Pearsall this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. The game-day receiving group will likely include newcomers Skyy Moore, Russell Gage, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, none of whom were on the 49ers’ roster last season.
Due to being on the physically unable to perform list, Aiyuk will miss the first four games, while Demarcus Robinson is suspended for the first three due to last year’s DUI arrest in Los Angeles.
Others who participated in Monday’s practice, referred to as a “bonus” practice, included defensive tackle Kalia Davis, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, and Gage. Both Puni and Davis are likely to start on Sunday, barring any setbacks.
The only member of the 53-man roster absent from practice on Monday was rookie wide receiver Jordan Watkins, who is recovering from a high-ankle sprain. Although he has been running on a side field in recent weeks, he is not expected to be ready for Week 1 but could return soon thereafter.
The nearly complete attendance during practice appeared to uplift the team’s morale.
“It helps a lot,” tackle Trent Williams remarked. “Having all hands on deck, having the guys we planned to have in there in Week 1, it’s definitely gonna help. We’re gonna need it going into the toughest environment in the league. And there’s no real warm-up to it.”
