The San Francisco 49ers need wide receiver help after veteran Demarcus Robinson went down with an injury in Week 2. He’s the third of the 49ers top four projected WRs to get hurt so far this season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the 49ers will look outside the building for help.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Sunday indicated the team would look for some additional help outside the building. There are a handful of veteran options available and if the 49ers sign someone it’ll likely be to their practice squad. Shanahan on Monday said the team will lean on internal options to fill the void left by Robinson on game days.
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“No, we expect those guys to be up and everyone’s got to get more involved,” Shanahan said. “But, I know our guys, John [Lynch] and his group, are working on all possibilities, looking at everything that’s out there and our options here for this week and going forward.”
The 49ers have two WRs on their 53-man roster who haven’t played much this season. Jacob Cowing saw 24 offensive snaps in Week 2 after Robinson’s injury. Second-year player Jordan Watkins has been a healthy scratch in the first two games. That duo should get some additional opportunities.
Veteran KhaDarel Hodge also had more chances with Robinson out, and he turned in his first catch of the year Sunday. Shanahan said he’ll be among the players the 49ers will lean on, but it’s not going to be a one-person effort.
“Yes. He’s been out there the last couple weeks,” Shanahan said. “He had a catch yesterday later in the game and he made some key blocks versus the Rams. Pretty much all our guys who are up, we always mix them in on offense, but as you lose starters and stuff, those guys have to be able to do more and more.”
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It sounds like the 49ers won’t try to directly replace Robinson, but instead rely on the various skill sets of their other pass catchers to try and recreate his production in the aggregate. San Francisco may also turn more heavily toward WR Mike Evans and tight end George Kittle. Kittle caught four balls for 80 yards and a touchdown after Robinson went out Sunday. Evans has been good, but he only had 10 targets in the first two games, including three in Week 2. Additional production from those veterans should also play a role in the 49ers figuring out their WR position until internal reinforcements come.
Christian Kirk is eligible to come off IR in Week 5, and Robinson is only expected to miss three-to-six weeks. De’Zhaun Stribling is also on track to return late in the season.
The 49ers will likely wind up adding another veteran pass catcher to their practice squad for internal depth. For now it sounds like the plan is to rely on players on their 53-man roster first before they start turning to new additions to the receiving corps.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers head coach details plan for overcoming WR injuries
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