One of many 49ers’ finest tales is headed sideways. Will the 49ers’ season be subsequent?
Jauan Jennings and the 49ers are one and the identical — injured and preventing the percentages even with a 4-2 report after a 30-19 street loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday.
Jennings most likely stunned everybody by suiting as much as face Tampa Bay. He’s coping with rib, ankle and shoulder accidents and has been leaking oil for weeks.
However all the need on this planet didn’t assist as Jennings struggled to be some semblance of himself within the loss, with a few of the frustration spilling over in a sideline interplay with coach Kyle Shanahan late within the first half.
With the 49ers going through a 20-16 deficit, Demarcus Robinson dropped a cross in entrance of Shanahan. Then, as Robinson got here up with an atoning 31-yard catch, Shanahan went down the sideline to confront Jennings. The 2 went backwards and forwards for an instantaneous earlier than the sideline employees intervened, together with a member of the membership’s safety element.
In the long run, Jennings was focused solely 3 times in a recreation the place Mac Jones handed 39 instances, finishing 27 for 347 yards. He had extra penalties (two) than receptions. Within the recreation to begin the second half, Jennings instantly dedicated a false begin.
Shanahan disregarded the sideline spat.
“Just an intense, competitive conversation between two people at the end of the second quarter, but we’re good,” Shanahan mentioned on the postgame podium.
Jennings mentioned even much less.
“Oh, man, you’ll have to ask him,” Jennings instructed reporters after the sport.
A second question introduced the identical response.
A whole lot of that is justifiable frustration from Jennings, who stepped up with a profession yr final season with 77 receptions for 975 yards and 6 touchdowns, increasing his function from “third-and-Jauan” to No. 1 receiver with Brandon Aiyuk out with a torn ACL.
A contract adjustment got here late within the recreation and Jennings, battling a calf challenge, missed quite a lot of coaching camp practices. He’s had solely two full practices because the common season started. Jennings’ contract will expire after the season, and his worth will probably be diminished significantly in free company if it continues down this street in what could possibly be his final seize at a megadeal at age 28.
“He had a bad ankle, some issues to his ribs. Hasn’t had some full-speed practices,” Shanahan mentioned of Jennings’ accidents. “I was pumped that he was able to go. But now he’s struggling to go every week now.”
Jennings made it sound as if there may be extra happening than what Shanahan urged, which isn’t uncommon. Coaches don’t exit of their approach to make targets of their injured participant to defenders.
“Playing with injuries is something that’s part of it, you know?” Jennings mentioned. “You’re going to have your ankle sprains. Your shoulder is 20 percent. You’ve got five broken ribs. It is what it is. You keep playing. Nobody cares. Keep playing. We do what we do.”
5 damaged ribs?
“Yeah, I’ve got five broken ribs,” Jennings mentioned. “It’s football. I love pain. I wouldn’t be playing this sport if I didn’t. You’ve got to enjoy every little thing that comes with it. Pain is one of those.”
Which is a method to take a look at it. The query is, as banged up as Jennings is, whether or not he might be salvaged. His situation compromises his warrior mentality and his free agent market will undergo.
Jennings has already missed three of six video games. Ricky Pearsall Jr. (knee) could also be again subsequent week towards Atlanta. The 49ers are hopeful a return by Aiyuk looms sooner or later. Kendrick Bourne had some route errors however has 15 receptions for 284 yards within the final two video games.
For his half, Jennings guarantees to do his half. Fred Warner’s dislocated ankle, Jennings mentioned, left him in want of nausea medication.
“Just made me sick,” Jennings mentioned. “We’ve still got to drive the boat, captains have got to lead the way. Everybody else has to step up.”
And there’s little probability Jennings will lose the assist of his teammates.
“He didn’t have to play in this game and he chose to,” Jones mentioned. “He fought through some stuff, and he’s a fighter and that’s the DNA of our team — his personality. Really love him. He did a good job. We missed on a few things but it wasn’t our day and hopefully we have a lot of good days ahead.”
