Dennis Wierzbicki/Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers went through a bit of a retooling of their wide receiver group this offseason. Gone is veteran Pierre Garçon as the team brought in several new targets for quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo.
Two of those additions are veteran Jordan Matthews and rookie
Deebo Samuel, who San Francisco selected in the second round of last month's draft.
Garoppolo spoke to reporters on Tuesday about the new receivers and what each brings to the offense.
"They're two different receivers," Garoppolo said. "Jordan has a wingspan like seven feet or something; it's insane. You think you miss him on a pass and he'll make you look good as a receiver, so you love that.
"And then Deebo, he's had a couple, yesterday especially, that after the catch he's just so explosive and fast. So it's a long way to go for all of us, but I think we're moving in the right direction."
No 49ers wideout surpassed 500 yards receiving last season with
Kendrick Bourne leading the group with 487 yards receiving. Then-rookie
Dante Pettis finished the season with 467 yards receiving.
The 49ers were the only team last season not to boast a wideout with 500-or-more yards receiving and one of just three that did not have a receiver gain 600-or-more yards (Miami, Washington).
San Francisco would like to improve those numbers and take some of the pressure off Pro Bowl tight end
George Kittle.
While this is his first year with the 49ers, Matthews replaces Garçon as one of the team's most experienced receivers. Only Marquise Goodwin has been in the NFL longer.
"[Matthews has] been working his tail off and learning a new offense," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Tuesday. "You can tell he's been around. You can tell he's a vet, and he's got some leadership qualities."
The 49ers also drafted
Jalen Hurd in the third round. However, he hasn't taken part in OTAs because the coaching and training staffs are easing him back onto the practice field.
Hurd injured his knee in Baylor's regular-season finale against Texas Tech and elected to undergo surgery on December 4, forcing him to miss the Bears' bowl game against Vanderbilt.
"Just the same stuff from coming out of college," Shanahan explained. "He's just not fully there yet. He's been here with us for a week. We want to make sure he gets a couple more weeks in of conditioning.
"You know, he didn't start getting cleared to run until a few weeks before the draft and to only have him for a week, we want to make sure we get a little bit more to get him in football shape."
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters on Monday, the day after the team's 24-20 season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He provided some injury updates during the Zoom call.
Fans are probably eagerly awaiting an update on George Kittle, and Shanahan provided one.
The All-Pro tight end suffered a knee sprain during the first half against the Cardinals. He left for the locker room just before halftime to be examined. Kittle returned with his teammates in the second half and played for the remainder of the game.
"He has a knee sprain. We'll see how he comes in on Wednesday," Shanahan told reporters. "He was a little sore today, but we'll wait to see how he is on Wednesday to see if he's able to practice or be able to go
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo spoke with reporters before Wednesday's practice as the team prepares for Sunday's road game against the New York Jets. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
How familiar are you with former New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu and what do you think he can bring to the wide receiver core?
"I've seen a lot of tape on him, just from watching [head coach] Kyle's [Shanahan] offense in the past and things that he's done in it. Heard tremendous things from all the coaches, so we're excited to get him in here. It'll be a quick turnaround, but he's been in this offense before, so hopefully he could pick things up right
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke with reporters after Friday's practice as the team prepares for Sunday's road game against the New York Jets. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Opening comments:
"For the injuries for today, [TE George] Kittle will be out. [CB Jason] Verrett will be out and [DL Dee] Ford will be questionable. Go ahead."
Former San Francisco 49ers QB Steve Young said something interesting on the radio this week about QB Jimmy Garoppolo and he said he thought Garoppolo might've been going through his reads too quickly, which ultimately might have slowed him down. He said it was something that your dad
