San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters ahead of Wednesday's practice, the first of the week, as the team prepares for its Week 14 game against the Seattle Seahawks. The conversation eventually led to wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who just earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Shanahan had ample praise for Samuel, acknowledging his impressive performance in Sunday's 42-19 rout of the Philadelphia Eagles. Samuel finished the game with 116 yards and two touchdowns on four receptions, adding 22 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
"Deebo is awesome," Shanahan said. "As you guys know, he's a special guy when he gets that ball in his hands."
Further down the depth chart sits Jauan Jennings, the 49ers' reliable wide receiver. While Jennings may not receive as much recognition as Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, he consistently proves to be one of the team's most clutch players, even earning the nickname "Third-and-Jauan."
Shanahan had an opportunity to commend Jennings on Wednesday, stating, "Jauan, he's one of a kind, as you guys probably know just talking to him."
Jennings always has a smile on his face and is one of the more delightful players to speak to in media sessions. However, on the football field, the receiver can frustrate opposing defenses.
"Just watch him on run plays," Shanahan continued. "He does those run plays like he does that 3rd-and-7, when there's three guys trying to tackle him. I mean, Jauan's on another level of confidence, energy. The only person who holds Jauan back is us.
"Jauan is ready to take over at all times. It's his mindset, and that's why when we come to him, whether it's every few games or a bunch in one game, he always seems like he's going to rise to the occasion and make one of the most important plays in the game."
San Francisco selected Jennings as a seventh-round draft pick out of Tennessee in 2020. This season, he has accumulated 17 receptions for 240 yards and a touchdown in 11 game appearances, including two starts.