Injured Trent Taylor to 49ers’ doubters: ‘Best pretenders in the country’

Trent Taylor may not be out on the football field with his teammates, but that doesn't mean he isn't enjoying the San Francisco 49ers' impressive 5-0 start to the season. The wide receiver, who has been on injured reserve since September 20, was watching his squad prove doubters wrong with a 20-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Southern California when he tweeted out the following.

The message was obviously meant for those who thought the undefeated 49ers were nothing more than a team that hadn't yet beaten a quality opponent. Those doubters are likely gone after watching San Francsico hold the Rams offense to just one touchdown and a season-low 157 yards.

Taylor's response may have been directed at analysts like former NFL safety Ryan Clark, who last month called the 49ers "pretenders" after the team topped the Buffalo Bills in ESPN's Week 3 power ranking.

"[The Bills] should be higher because you know who should be behind them? The 49ers," Clark said at the time. "They are pretending. They are faking us out. They are imitators, pretenders, whatever you want to say. They are not the real deal at 2-0."

Those pretenders and imitators remain one of just two undefeated teams and have just taken down the division winner of the past two seasons.

As for Taylor, he is recovering from a broken foot. He was placed on injured reserve after a setback but could be one of two players to return next month, assuming he is healthy enough to contribute.