49ers WR punished by NFL amid team's trouble at position

The 49ers need any appeal to be victorious as the team navigates depth issues at wide receiver. 

The veteran receiver is coming off a productive season with the Los Angeles Rams, where he caught 21 passes for 404 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a key addition in free agency for a team that is unsure when Brandon Aiyuk will return from the ACL injury he suffered in 2024.

Per Matt Borrows of The Athletic, the 49ers' depth at wide receiver wasn't looking good as of Wednesday's practice. 

"Three of the team’s top six players at the position — Brandon Aiyuk, Demarcus Robinson and Jordan Watkins — aren’t expected to be available for Week 1, while the other three — Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing — have dealt with injuries at some point this summer," Borrows wrote.

"Cowing did not practice on Wednesday, and Pearsall appeared to narrowly avoid injury after a collision in the end zone."

Borrows wrote that before Shanahan confirmed Robinson would be out for the first three weeks of the season. 

The 49ers need to add a wide receiver or two before Week 1, and they might start by inquiring about Amari Cooper. 

The 49ers are going to have competition in the market. The Minnesota Vikings are dealing with injuries and Jordan Addison's suspension.