With a wrist injury sidelining WR Ray-Ray McCloud III for a while (although, there is hope that he could be ready around the start of the season), the door is open for his replacement in the kick-off and punt return positions on special teams. While no one wants to see any player get injured, it does provide an opportunity for players who may have been on the outside looking in who are fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. Here's a quick list of players who could fill that void on special teams:
Rookie WR Ronnie Bell filled in for McCloud on a few kick returns Sunday in the 49ers' pre-season loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. According to ESPN, Bell had three returns for 53 yards, averaging 19 yards per attempt. His longest return was for 24 yards. Bell, however, shined as a WR in that game, leading the 49ers pass catches with 56 yards receiving on three catches. Given his production early on as a pass catcher, Bell is an interesting player to watch in not only the battle for special teams but for the #3 WR position.
Rookie CB D'Shawn Jamison out of the University of Texas is another player who shined on special teams this Sunday against the Raiders. Jamison had two kick-off returns for 37 yards, averaging 18.5 yards per attempt. Jamison looked explosive out there with his speed and vision. The 49ers have a lot of players fighting for a spot in the secondary, with the nickel corner position seemingly being the only one up for grabs. A role on special teams might be Jamison's best shot at cracking the 53-man roster.
Second-year WR Danny Gray is another option for a kick-returner. Gray is arguably the fastest player on the team, running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. Gray was originally brought in to complement then-rookie QB Trey Lance's big arm but has struggled to see the field early in his career. Gray was held out of the preseason opener against the Raiders due to soreness. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers give him a shot at kick or punt returns, given his ability as a gunner on special teams, where he has proven to be among the best. Gray is another player to keep an eye on for the #3 WR position as well. I'm sure the 49ers would prefer to see him grow as a receiver as opposed to staying as a role player.
With all of the off-season storylines following the 49ers, this is a great position battle to keep an eye given the fact that the door is open for a young player to make some moves.
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